MEMOIRS 


n-2 

JI397mel 


COL.  .JACKS OK 
AND 

Adj.  Strong. 


PKINCETON,     N.     J. 

Division 

Section L,**J.».  r  <r»  *X_y 

5g^. Number 


MEMOIR 


WILLIAM    A.    JACKSON, 


MEMBER  OF  THE  ALBANY  BAR, 


Colonel  of  %  I8tfe  Regiment,  g.  j.  Volunteers, 

WHO  DIED  AT  THE  CITY  OF  WASHINGTON, 


NOVEMBER  11,  1881. 


PUBLISHED    BY    THE    BAR    OF    THE    CITY    OF    ALBANY. 


ALBANY : 

JOEL    M UN SELL 

1862. 


MEMOIR 


Col.  William  Ayrault  Jackson  was  born  in  the 
city  of  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  on  the  29th  day  of  March, 
1832.  His  father,  Isaac  W.  Jackson,  was  then  Pro- 
fessor of  Mathematics  in  Union  College,  of  which  he 
was  a  graduate,  a  position  he  has  held  uninterruptedly 
to  the  present  time. 

William  was  the  eldest  of  the  family.  He  fitted 
for  college  at  home,  under  the  instruction  of  his  father, 
and  entered  at  the  early  age  of  fifteen  the  Freshman 
Class  of  Union,  at  the  commencement  of  the  academic 
year  in  1847. 

During  his  collegiate  career,  he  displayed  marked 
and  brilliant  talents  in  various  departments,  and  by 
the  exhibition  of  the  frank  and  generous  qualities, 
which  were  characteristic  of  him,  made  among  the 
under  graduates  of  his  time  many  and  warm  friends. 
He  then  more  particularly  won  distinction  as  a  forci- 


4  MEMOIR. 

ble  and  elegant  extempore  speaker,  and  skilful  debater. 
In  these  accomplishments  he  was  acknowledged  to  be 
without  a  rival  among  his  college  cotemporaries,  and 
they  were  at  a  later  period  exercised  with  effect  on 
the  wider  field  of  political  discussion. 

He  graduated  with  honor  in  the  summer  of  1851, 
and  during  the  succeeding  year  remained  at  home,  de- 
voting his  attention  to  the  study  of  general  literature, 
and  giving  some  of  his  time  to  the  study  of  the  law,  that 
being  the  profession  which  he  had  chosen.  Previous, 
however,  to  his  regular  entry  upon  his  legal  studies, 
and  during  the  year  1852,  he  spent  some  months  with 
an  uncle,  Mr.  I.  C.  Chesbrough,  a  civil  engineer, 
and  at  that  time  engaged  upon  the  survey  of  the 
Albany  and  Susquehanna  Rail  Road.  In  December, 
1852,  he  removed  to  the  cit}^  of  Albany,  with  some 
of  the  most  prominent  and  influential  families  in  which 
he  was  nearly  connected,  and  entered  the  office  of 
Marcus  T.  Reynolds,  Esq.  He  also,  about  the  same 
time,  attended  a  course  of  lectures  at  the  Albany  Law 
School.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  on  the  ]  Oth  of 
April,  1853,  and  immediately  commenced  the  practice 
of  his  profession  in  Albany,  which  was  his  residence 
until  his  death. 

Soon  after  the  commencement  of  his  legal  career,  he 


formed  a  partnership  with  his  cousin,  Frederick  Towns- 
end,  Esq.,  an  accomplished  gentleman,  since  so  favor- 
ably- known  as  Adjutant  General  of  the  State  during 
the  whole  of  Gov.  King's  and  a  part  of  Gov.  Morgan's 
administration,  who  as  Colonel  of  the  3d  Regiment 
of  New  York    Volunteers   distinguished   himself  by 
his  brilliant   gallantry  at  the  battle    of  Big  Bethel, 
and  is  now  a  Major  in   the  United  States   Infantry. 
They   were  associated   during  the  whole  of  Colonel 
Jackson's   connection    with    the   law.     For    a    short 
period,  during  the  year  1857,  Alfred  Conkling,  formerly 
United  States  District  Judge  of  the  Northern  District 
of  New  York,  was  professionally  connected  with  them, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Conkling,  Townsend  &  Jack- 
son.    On  the  1st  of  May,  1858,  their  business  associa- 
tion with  Judge  Conkling  having  previously   termi- 
nated, they  took  as  a  partner  Richard  M.  Strong,  Esq., 
and  the  firm  name  was  changed  to  Townsend,  Jackson 
&  Strong.     This  partnership  continued  until  the  stir- 
ring  national   events   of  the  spring  of  1861  turned 
the  thoughts  of  all  from  peaceful  pursuits  to  arms, 
when  Col.  Jackson,  who  had  been   at  the  commence- 
ment of  that  year  appointed  and  now  held  the  office 
of  Inspector   General   of  the  State,  relinquished  the 
profession  to  which  he  had  been  bred,  and  engaged  in 


. 


MEMOIR. 


the  defence  of  the  government,  in  the  great  struggle 
inaugurated  by  the  attack  upon  and  fall  of  Fort 
Sumpter. 

Before  proceeding  to  the  mention  of  Col.  Jack- 
son's brief  but  honorable  military  career,  we  pause  to 
say  a  few  words  of  the  character  and  talents  which 
he  displayed  during  the  time  of  his  practice  at  the 
bar.  Possessed  of  a  singularly  handsome  person,  with 
frank  and  genial  manners,  having  a  bold  and  energetic 
character,  and  a  quick  penetrating  intellect,  being  an 
agreeable  speaker  and  a  vigorous  writer,  he  fast  made 
friends  and  admirers,  and  soon  acquired  a  prominent 
and  influential  position  at  the  capital  of  the  state. 
Well  grounded  in  the  principles  of  the  law,  and  prompt 
in  the  despatch  of  business,  he  obtained  a  verj-  con- 
siderable professional  practice.  Always  taking  a  deep 
interest  in  politics,  state  and  national,  and  mingling 
freely  and  on  intimate  terms  during  almost  the  whole 
of  this  period  with  the  most  distinguished  political 
leaders,  he  soon  became  appreciated  as  a  man  of  ability, 
and  a  brilliant  and  effective  speaker.  His  political 
views  being  in  accordance  with  those  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  he  early  took  that  side,  and  in  the  cam- 
paigns of  1856,  1858  and  I860,  rendered  valuable 
services  with  his  pen,  and  on  the  stump,  to  that  organ- 


MEMOIR. 


ization.  In  1858,  indeed,  he  made  quite  an  extended 
tour,  and  addressed  numerous  large  assemblies  in  the 
western  part  of  the  state. 

When,  therefore,  in  the  spring  of  1861  he  embraced 
with  characteristic  ardor  the  career  of  arms,  he  had 
acquired  a  high  position  in  his  profession  and  in  society, 
and  was  making  himself  felt  and  his  influence  appre- 
ciable to  a  degree  unusual  in  one  so  young. 

No  reasons  then  for  so  complete  a  change  in  the 
plan  and  pursuits  of  his  life  existed,  other  than  a  gener- 
ous patriotism  and  an  honorable  ambition  to  win  the 
praise  of  honest  men  by  his  sacrifices  for  and  services 
to  his  country. 

Successful  in  raising  a  regiment  whose  superior  in 
material  was  not  to  be  found  in  the  state,  he  originally 
intended  to  take  the  position  of  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
devolving  its  command  upon  an  army  officer  of  experi- 
ence. His  plans  failed  in  that  respect,  and  after  much 
hesitation  and  doubt  from  a  consciousness  of  his  inex- 
perience, he  was  finally  prevailed  upon  to  accept  the 
Colonelcy.  On  the  18th  of  June,  1861,  he  received 
his  commission  as  Colonel  of  this,  the  18th  Regiment 
of  New  York  Volunteers,  with  the  rank  from  May 
loth,  1861.  From  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  in 
April  to  the  time  he  received  his  commission,  he  had 


J 


MEMOIR. 


been  arduously  engaged  as  Inspector-General  of  the 
State  in  aiding  the  Governor  in  the  organization  of  its 
forces,  and  hence  by  close  application  had  acquired 
military  knowledge  which  was  of  value  to  him  in  his 
new  position. 

From  the  day,  however,  that  he  took  command  of 
of  the  18th  he  was  constant  and  unwearied  in  his 
devotion  to  and  care  for  his  men.  Not  unwilling  to 
learn,  nor  unwisely  self-confident  as  were  some  of  the 
new  officers  of  volunteers  at  that  period,  by  the  indus- 
trious application  of  his  quick  vigorous  mind  to  the 
acquisition  of  a  knowledge  of  the  details  of  his  duty, 
he  very  soon  mastered  them. 

His  Regiment  left  Albany  in  June,  and  proceeding 
directly  to  Washington,  encamped  near  the  city.  Here 
began  his  first  trial  of  camp  life.  The  officers  under 
his  command  were  with  but  very  few  exceptions  with- 
out experience  or  practical  military  knowledge,  and  the 
men,  like  almost  all  the  volunteers  at  that  time,  owing 
to  the  busy  brief  period  that  had  elapsed  since  their 
enlistment,  were  a  mere  uniformed  mass  without  drill 
or  discipline,  rather  than  a  regiment  of  soldiers. 

To  change  all  this  was  the  determination  of  the 
Colonel.  He  resolved  to  make  it  a  regiment  in  truth, 
and  one  which  should  be  inferior  to  none  in  the  field. 


MEMOIR.  9 

With  this  object  in  view,  he  was  devoted,  constant  and 
unwearied,  sparing  neither  body  nor  mind,  but  straining 
every  faculty  from  the  time  he  arrived  at  Washington 
until  the  disastrous  battle  of  Manassas,  and  indeed 
until  his  death,  in  his  efforts  to  perfect  himself  as  an 
officer,  and  to  bring  to  a  high  state  of  discipline  the 
men  under  his  command.  In  how  short  a  time  he, 
with  the  earnest  and  praiseworthy  co-operation  of  his 
officers,  succeeded  in  doing  this;  and  how  well  lie  did 
succeed,  was  soon  to  be  shown. 

On  the  12th  of  July,  in  accordance  with  the  general 
plan  of  a  forward  movement  into  Virginia,  his  Regi- 
ment was  ordered  across  the  Potomac  and  encamped 
near  Alexandria.  About  the  same  time  it  was  brigaded 
with  the  16th,  31st  and  32d  New  York  Volum 
forming  together  the  2d  Brigade  under  the  command 
of  Col.  Davies  of  the  16th  Regiment. 

On  the  16th  of  July,  commenced  the  memorable 
advance  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac  ;  Col.  Jackson's 
Regiment  moved  from  Alexandria  in  the  afternoon  of 
that  day.  and.  together  with  the  other  regiments  form- 
ing the  2d  Brigade,  took  part  in  the  battle,  or  rather 
prolonged  skirmish,  of  the  18th  of  July.  In  this,  his 
conduct  was  gallant  and  meritorious,  and  his  men  be- 
haved with  the  steadiness  of  veterans.     In  the  battle 


10  MEMOIR. 

of  Manassas,  on  the  21st  of  July,  which  resulted  so 
disastrously  to  our  arms,  the  2d  Brigade  were  upon  the 
left  and  constituted  the  reserve,  not  taking  part  in 
the  main  battle,  fought  principally  by  the  right  and 
centre. 

It  does  not,  of  course,  come  within  the  scope  of  this 
Memoir  to  attempt  any  general  description  of  the 
events  of  that  terrible  and  humiliating  day.  It  is 
sufficient  to  say  that  the  18th  Regiment,  the  whole 
2d  Brigade,  and  indeed  the  whole  Division,  of  which 
it  formed  a  part,  behaved  with  marked  gallantry  and 
steadiness.  The  2d  Brigade,  covering  Captains  Green 
and  Hunt's  Batteries  during  the  early  part  of  the  day, 
and  with  them  effectually  defeating  a  formidable  at- 
tempt of  the  enemy's  right  to  flank  the  left  of  our 
line,  when  later  our  troops  fled  in  such  panic  and  con- 
fusion from  the  field,  was  ordered  to  Centreville  to 
protect  the  retreat.  As  to  what  followed  and  the  con- 
duct of  Col.  Jackson  at  this  crisis,  an  extract  from  the 
report  of  Capt.  Green,  in  command  of  a  battery, 
gives  an  interesting  account : 

"I  chose  a  position,"  he  says,  "on  the  crest  of  a  hill 
which,  from  its  shape,  gave  command  of  the  ground  to 
our  left  and  also  of  the  road  along  which  our  Division 
was   retiring.     From    this    position  I  could    perfectly 


MEMOIR.  11 

sweep  with  my  fire  180°  front,  right  and  left,  down  a 
gentle  slope.  Four  regiments  were  placed  as  my  sup- 
port, and  the  force  at  this  point  could  have  stopped 
double  its  number. 

"  At  this  point  an  unauthorized  person  gave  orders 
to  retreat ;  I  refused  the  order,  but  all  my  supporting 
regiments  but  one  (Col.  Jackson s  18th  N.  Y.  V.),  moved 
off  to  the  rear.  Col.  Jackson  mast  gallantly  offered  his 
Regiment  as  a  support,  saying  '  that  it  should  remain  by 
me  as  long  as  there  should  be  any  fighting  to  be  done 
there.'  The  above  mentioned  person  again  made  his 
appearance  at  this  time  and  again  ordered  me  to 
retreat,  and  ordered  Col.  Jackson  to  form  column  of 
division  on  my  right  and  retreat  with  me  as  all  was 
lost.  The  order  was  of  course  disregarded  and  in  about 
two  minutes  the  head  of  a  column  of  the  enemy's 
cavalry  came  up  at  a  run,  opening  out  of  the  woods  in 
beautiful  order.  I  was  prepared  for  it,  and  the  column 
had  not  gone  more  than  a  hundred  yards  out  of  the 
woods  before  shells  were  burst  at  their  head  and 
directly  in  their  midst.  They  broke  in  every  direction, 
and  no  more  cavalry  came  out  of  the  woods." 

The  18th,  in  compliance  with  orders  from  the  Com- 
manding General,  retreated  covering  Green's  Battery ; 


12  MEMOIR. 

halted  for  a  short  time  at  Fairfax ;  Col.  Jackson  ascer- 
taining that  the  General,  despairing  of  bringing  the 
defeated  army  to  a  halt,  had  himself  gone  to  Wash- 
ington, it  again  resumed  the  retreat  and  at  midday  on 
the  22d  took  possession  of  its  old  camp  at  Alexandria. 
This  retreat  was  effected  in  perfect  good  order  through- 
out ;  and  on  the  way  back  the  Colonel  was  enabled  to 
afford  aid  to  his  fellow-townsman,  Lieut.  Hill  of  the 
U.  S.  Artillery,  in  bringing  off  two  of  the  guns  of  his 
battery. 

All  the  officers  who  were  present  bear  testimony  to 
the  gallantry  of  Col.  Jackson,  and  the  admirable 
behavior  of  his  Regiment,  throughout  that  memorable 
advance  towards  and  retreat  from  Manassas. 

During  the  whole  time  he  was  almost  constantly 
mounted,  and  he  bore  up  with  astonishing  endurance 
under  the  most  exhausting  fatigue.  He  says  himself, 
in  a  letter  written  to  a  friend  on  the  23d  of  July : 
"  from  half  past  two  Sunday  morning  until  Monday  at 
midday,  we  neither  slept  nor  rested.  I  was  in  my 
saddle  nearly  all  the  time." 

After  this  battle,  the  Regiment  not  sharing  in  the 
general  demoralization  of  the  troops,  remained  near 
Alexandria ;  shifting  its  camp  occasionally,  taking  its 
turn  at  guard  and  picket  duty,  and  for  a  time  engaged 


MEMOIR.  13 

in  building  Fort  Ward,  one  of  the  numerous  fortifica- 
tions erected  to  protect  Washington. 

When  Gen.  McClellan,  taking  command,  commenced 
the  reorganization  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  the 
18th  Regiment  was  placed  in  Gen.  Newton's  Brigade 
and  Gen.  Franklin's  Division. 

The  devotion  and  enthusiasm  of  Col.  Jackson,  in 
raising  to  the  highest  standard  the  discipline  and 
morale  of  his  men,  did  not  flag.  Until  attacked  by 
his  last  illness,  he  was  hardly  ever  absent  from  the 
camp,  and  it  was  an  extremely  rare  thing  for  him  to 
sleep  out  of  it;  and  he  took  eagerly  upon  his  shoulders 
the  thousand  constant  cares  and  labors  consequent 
upon  a  scrupulously  conscientious  discharge  of  his 
duties.  In  a  word,  his  whole  time  and  energies  were 
employed.  In  all  this,  and  indeed  during  the  whole 
of  his  connection  with  the  Regiment,  it  is  but  justice 
to  record,  that  his  efforts  were  much  aided,  and  the 
character  of  the  regiment  for  discipline  and  efficiency 
raised,  by  the  steady  support  and  uniformly  gallant 
conduct  of  his  Lieutenant  Colonel  (now  Colonel), 
Young,  a  townsman,  and  the  officer  who  succeeded 
him  in  command. 

These  wearing  anxieties  of  his  responsible  position, 
and   the   unaccustomed  privations  and  exposures  of 


14  MEMOIR. 

life  in  the  field,  in  an  unhealthy  climate,  were  unfor- 
tunately laying  in  the  constitution  of  Jackson  the 
foundations  of  fatal  disease.  His  health,  which  had 
been,  through  life,  up  to  this  period,  almost  perfect, 
now  showed  signs  of  giving  way ;  and  during  a 
hurried  visit  home  in  August,  his  friends  were 
alarmed  at  the  inroads  made  by  fatigue  and  anxiety 
upon  it.  Although,  for  some  time  after  his  return  to 
the  regiment,  he  seemed  better,  he  was  towards  the 
end  of  October  seized  with  an  illness,  which,  assuming 
the  form  of  bilious  remittent  fever,  proved  fatal. 
Prostrated  for  some  days  in  his  tent,  his  brother 
officers  were  unable  to  induce  him  to  "give  up"  and 
seek  relief  from  his  official  duties,  and  it  was  not 
until  his  illness  assumed  a  most  serious  form,  that  he 
consented  to  apply  to  be  removed  to  Washington. 
This  was  done  on  the  30th  of  October,  and  Dr.  Stone, 
one  of  the  most  eminent  physicians  of  the  city,  was 
then  immediately  called  to  his  bedside,  but  it  was  too 
late.  For  a  few  days,  no  critical  symptoms  appeared, 
and  his  condition  was  not  considered  as  imminently 
dangerous  until  the  7th  of  November.  Hemorrhage 
of  the  bowels,  and  afterwards  of  the  brain,  then  set 
in,  destroying  all  hope.  On  Monday,  the  11th  of 
November,  a  little  before  six  o'clock  in  the  evening. 


MEMOIR.  15 

his  spirit  passed  away.  His  last  words  were  these, 
uttered  just  before  the  power  of  articulation  departed, 
in  a  strong,  deliberate  voice,  but  evidently  with  great 
effort :  "  I  do  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  trust 
in  Him." 

The  remains  of  Col.  Jackson  were  taken  home  for 
interment.  They  were  escorted  to  the  cars  at  Wash- 
ington by  his  regiment,  every  member  of  which 
expressed  a  desire  to  testify  his  respect  for  his  beloved 
Colonel.  At  Albany,  they  were  received  by  the  mili- 
tary of  the  city,  and  lay  in  state. 

He  was  buried  at  Schenectady  on  the  14th  of 
November,  1861. 

Borne  to  his  last  resting  place  by  the  friends  of  his 
youth  whom  he  loved  so  well,  amid  the  scenes  of  his 
boyhood  he  sleeps,  requiemed  by  the  sighing  pines 
which  wave  over  his  grave. 

Beautiful  and  joyous  was  his  youth;  bold  and 
vigorous  his  manhood ;  his  death  honorable,  nay 
glorious;  for,  although  he  fell  not  by  the  sword  nor 
amid  the  maddening  whirl  and  din  of  battle,  yet  by 
his  self-consuming  labors  for  his  country's  weal,  were 
sown  the  seeds  of  that  fell  disease  which  was  his 
destroyer. 

He  was  young  when  he  died,  but  so  matured  was 


16  MEMOIR. 


his  character,  so  rich  in  all  manly  qualities,  that  he 
seemed  to  have  passed  his  contemporaries,  and  to 
have  taken,  by  a  single  bound,  a  high  place  above 
them. 

The  civil  war,  which  he  lived  to  see  assume  gigantic 
and  fearful  proportions,  still  rages  undiminished ;  the 
eyes  of  all  men  are  riveted,  not  to  be  turned  aside 
but  for  an  instant,  upon  that  great  drama.  Act 
follows  act  so  rapidly  that  yesterday  seems  a  year 
ago,  and  the  events  of  the  past  float  in  our  remem- 
brance vaguely  and  uncertainly  as  last  summer's 
clouds.  The  tumult  and  peril  of  the  time  forbid  to 
linger  long  over  the  tomb  of  -the  most  loved  one,  and 
the  mighty  flood  of  public  grief  and  calamity  seems 
to  drown  all  private  sorrow.  Yet  the  memory  of  the 
departed  Jackson  remains  and  will  ever  remain  fresh 
and  vivid  in  the  hearts  of  the  many  friends  and  com- 
panions of  his  life.  In  brighter,  happier  days  in  the 
future,  when  peace  shall  again  smile  upon  the  land, 
and  time  shall  have  softened  the  first  sharp  pangs  of 
their  grief,  they  will  speak  gently  and  regretfully  but 
proudly  together  of  the  one  who  is  gone,  recalling  the 
eagle  eye,  the  noble  port,  the  bright  intellect  and  the 
generous  heart  of  him  summoned  so  early,  but  who 
so  well  ran  his  brief  race  on  earth. 


kmt$m%t  of  the  gMantj  §ar. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Bar  of  the  City  of  Albany, 
held  at  the  City  Hall,  on  the  14th  day  of  November, 
1861. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  John  J.  Olcott,  Mr.  Jacob  I. 
Werner  was  called  to  the  Chair,  and  Messrs.  Isaac 
Edwards  and  Ernest  J.  Miller  were  appointed  Secre- 
taries. 

On  motion  of  Hon.  A.  D.  Robinson,  the  Chair  ap- 
pointed Messrs.  Robinson,  J.  V.  L.  Pruyn,  R.  M. 
Strong,  R.  W.  Peckham,  Jr.,  and  J.  B.  Sturtevant,  a 
Committee  to  prepare  resolutions  expressing  the  sense 
of  the  meeting. 

Hon.  Clark  B.  Cochrane  then  addressed  the  meet- 
ing as  follows  : 


■- 


Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Bar  ; 

The  news  of  the  event  which  has  called  together 
the  Bar  of  Albany,  on  the  present  occasion,  has  fallen 
with  mournful  weight  upon  the  hearts  of  millions  of 


18  PROCEEDINGS    OF    THE    ALBANY    BAR. 


our  countrymen.  The  removal  by  death  of  William 
A.  Jackson  from  the  newly  chosen  field  of  his  activi- 
ties, in  the  midst  of  his  growing  usefulness  and  rising 
fame,  and  in  view  of  what  he  was  and  what  he  pro- 
mised to  become,  produced,  as  it  was  calculated  to 
produce,  a  profound  sensation  in  the  public  mind. 
The  deep  and  universal  solicitude,  the  expressions  of 
private  hopes  and  public  anxiety  with  reference  to 
the  chances  of  his  recovery,  from  the  time  his  danger- 
ous illness  became  known  until  the  announcement  of 
its  fatal  termination,  the  imposing  demonstrations  of 
respect  tendered  to  his  memory  and  services,  and  the 
multiplied  evidences  of  sincere  and  general  sorrow 
which  have  followed  that  announcement,  admonish 
us  that  our  professional  brother,  whose  loss  we  mourn 
and  whose  recollection  we  cherish,  was  no  ordinary 
personage.  It  rarely  happens,  even  in  our  own  glori- 
ous country,  where  all  legal  and  adventitious  hin- 
drances are  removed  from  before  the  march  of  merit, 
where  the  race  is  usually  to  the  swift  and  the  battle 
to  the  strong,  that  one  comes  to  occupy,  at  so  early 
an  age,  so  large  a  measure  in  the  public  eye,  or  pos- 
sess so  firm  a  hold  of  the  popular  heart.  Though  yet 
in  the  early  dawn  and  dew  of  manhood,  Col.  Jackson 
has  inscribed  his  name  upon  the  imperishable  records 


PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE    ALBANY   BAR.  19 

of  his  country,  and  left  his  footprints  deeply  traced  on 
the  sands  of  time.  A  nation,  for  whose  life  and  whose 
honor  he  drew  his  sword,  witnessed,  with  emotions  of 
sorrow,  his  passage  from  the  theatre  of  life ;  and  the 
great,  the  gifted,  and  the  brave  followed  his  bier  and 
mingled  as  mourners  in  his  funeral  train.  Thus,  let 
a  grateful  people  ever  hallow  the  memory  of  the  brave 
defenders  of  the  land  and  flag  of  our  fathers.  Our 
departed  friend  has  left  a  blameless  life,  a  bright  and 
brave  example  for  the  imitation  of  all,  especially  for 
our  youth.  At  a  period  when  success,  with  young 
men  of  brightest  promise,  is  yet  the  subject  of  conjec- 
ture, he  had  accomplished  ends  and  achieved  a  position 
which  exempt  life  from  the  possibilities  of  failure,  and 
enabled  him  to  say,  as  he  turned  his  youthful  eyes  for 
the  last  time  to  the  light  of  Heaven,  I  have  not 
"  lived  in  vain  nor  spent  my  strength  for  naught." 

A  gentleman  by  instinct  and  education,  possessed 
of  a  fine  person  and  fascinating  manners,  a  large  heart 
and  a  true  and  genial  nature,  endowed  with  a  rare 
intellect,  enriched  by  varied  and  manly  cultivation, 
he  became  the  idol  of  every  circle  in  which  he 
mingled,  a  cherished  companion  among  his  associates, 
the  trusted  depositary  of  the  most  sacred  treasures  of 
a  well  chosen  friendship,  the  pride  of  his  family  and 


20  PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   ALBANY   BAR. 

kindred,  and  a  favorite  with  the  public.  As  a  public 
speaker  Col.  Jackson  was  eloquent  and  forcible,  and 
to  rare  conversational  powers  he  added  the  pen  of  a 
ready  and  elegant  writer.  As  a  member  of  this  bar, 
at  which  he  had  secured  no  indifferent  reputation,  we 
remember  him  as  a  brother  without  reproach.  His 
warm  hand,  his  beaming  and  manly  face,  will  greet  us 
no  more.  We  shall  miss  him  at  the  bar,  in  the  halls 
of  justice,  from  our  social  gatherings,  in  the  public 
and  private  walks  of  life,  but  in  the  innermost  shrines 
of  our  hearts,  and  so  long  as  life  lasts,  we  will  cherish 
his  memory,  fragrant  with  every  manly  virtue,  and 
free  from  every  suspicion  of  dishonor.  We  will  think 
of  him  for  his  noble  qualities  of  head  and  heart,  for 
the  example  he  has  left  behind  him,  for  the  expecta- 
tions he  had  realized,  and  the  hopes  he  had  inspired. 

In  all  the  relations  of  private  life,  and  in  all  the 
varied  and  responsible  positions  with  which  he  was 
trusted,  he  preserved  to  the  last  "  the  whiteness  of  his 
soul,  and  men  weep  for  him." 

It  is,  after  all,  as  a  patriot  and  soldier,  and  not  as  a 
lawyer,  we  meet  to  do  him  honor.  True,  the  ranks  of 
our  profession  have  been  invaded  and  another  link 
has  been  stricken  from  the  bright  fraternal  chain 
which  binds  us  together;    a  choice  spirit  has  dropt 


PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   ALBANY   BAR.  21 

from  our  circle  and  passed  forever  away,  and  we  con- 
fess our  loss ;  but  it  is  our  country  and  not  our  class 
that  is  smitten  by  this*' bereavement.  Brave  of  heart 
and  strong  of  hand,  loving  his  country  and  revering 
her  insulted  flag,  he  was  among  the  first  to  respond  to 
the  call  of  the  nation,  in  the  hour  of  her  sudden  and 
greatest  peril.  Though  uneducated  to  the  profession 
of  arms,  he  brought  to  the  duties  of  his  high  com- 
mand unwearied  industry  and  all  the  acknowledged 
vigor  of  his  mind,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  had 
already  become  an  accomplished  and  efficient  officer, 
enjoyed  the  confidence  of  the  Government  and  of  his 
superiors  in  command,  was  rapidly  rising  in  the  opi- 
nions of  the  army,  and  had  secured  to  the  fullest 
extent  the  respect  and  love  of  his  gallant  Regiment, 
which,  under  his  discipline,  had  become  by  common 
consent  one  of  the  best  and  most  efficient  in  the 
service. 

Tried  upon  the  field  of  battle  and  found  wanting  in 
none  of  the  stern  requisites  of  a  soldier,  he  had  before 
him  the  promise  of  a  brilliant  and  glorious  future.  In 
the  inscrutable  providence  of  God,  the  hand  of  death 
has  overtaken  him  and  he  is  removed  from  the  tumult 
of  arms  and  the  scenes  of  earth.  But  he  has  fallen  in 
the  career  of  duty  and  the  path  of  fame,  with  his  bow 


22  PROCEEDINGS   OF    THE    ALBANY    BAR. 

bent,  his  feet  to  the  field  and   his  armor  on.     To  the 
patriot  the  memory  of  such  is  sweet. 

S.  0.  Shepard,  Esq.,  then  spoke  as  follows : 

Mr,  Chairman: 

The  character  of  William  A;  Jackson  requires  not 
eulogy,  to  commemorate  its  beauty.  Yet  a  suggestion 
has  just  been  made  to  me,  the  propriety  of  which  can- 
not be  questioned,  that  some  member  of  this  Bar, 
should  in  behalf  of  the  Bar  briefly  endorse  the  truthful 
and  touching  tribute  which  has  just  been  rendered  to 
his  memory. 

That  duty  should  more  properly  be  performed,  by 
some  one  whose  acquaintance  with  the  deceased  had 
been  of  longer  standing,  and  whose  intercourse  with 
him  had  been  more  intimate  than  have  mine.  Until 
within  two  years  immediately  preceding  his  death, 
I  had  known  but  little  of  William  A.  Jackson.  Since 
that  time  by  a  casual  incident  I  had  been  brought 
into  more  intimate  association  with  him,  sufficiently 
so  to  see,  in  that  brief  period,  very  much  to  love  and 
very  much  to  admire.  For  his  was  a  character  of 
that  cast  which  required  not  long  years  of  intercourse 
for  its  proper  appreciation. 

Cultivated    in    his  tastes,    broadly  catholic   in    his 


PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   ALBANY   BAR.  23 

opinions  and  unselfish  in  his  disposition,  manly  in 
bearing  and  frank  in  address,  in  his  intercourse  with 
men  he  at  once  demanded  from  them  the  confidence 
which  by  them  was  at  once  as  readily  conceded.  With 
such  qualifications  he  adopted  the  profession  of  law  ; 
a  profession  which  bestows  with  but  niggard  hand  her 
commendation,  unless  that  commendation  be  deserved; 
and  yet  I  hesitate  not  in  saying,  that  I  express  but 
the  opinion  of  every  gentleman  of  this  Bar  when  I 
say,  that  William  A.  Jackson  had  already  attained  in 
that  profession  a  position  which  is  more  frequently 
denied,  than  conceded,  to  those  whose  years  by  scores 
outnumbered  his  own.  Mingling  much  with  men  as 
he  did,  and  possessing  an  address  which  so  readily 
commended  him  to  the  favorable  recognition  of  the 
people,  he  soon  became  intensely  interested  in  the  great 
political  questions  of  the  day.  Identifying  himself 
heartily  with  those  principles  which  distinguished  the 
party  in  whose  ranks  he  was  enrolled,  he  enlisted,  in 
the  advocacy  and  support  of  those  principles,  a  culti- 
vated mind  and  a  ready  and  graceful  oratory. 

And,  when,  owing  to  those  events  so  familiar  to 
all,  which  have  cast  a  shadow  so  deep  and  so  dark 
over  the  political  destinies  of  our  country,  principles 
could  no  longer  be   advocated  in  the  field  of  intellect ; 


24  PROCEEDINGS   OF    THE    ALBANY   BAR. 

when  the  pen  was  compelled  to  give  place  to  physical 
prowess,  and  logic  to  the  stern  arbitrament  of  the 
sword ;  when  our  stricken  country,  turned  her  troubled 
eye  towards  her  loyal  sons,  almost  despairingly  to  ask, 
who  among  them  would  advocate  her  cause,  the  cause 
of  liberty,  in  this  new  field,  on  whose  bloody  sod, 
death  lurked,  in  his  most  horrid  forms ;  then  was 
heard  the  ready  response  of  William  A.  Jackson,  true 
to  himself,  true  to  his  unselfish  nature,  and  true  to  his 
country,  alike  in  her  woe  as  in  her  weal,  "  Here  am 
I,  send  me !  "  Turning  resolutely  from  the  induce- 
ments of  a  noble  and  remunerative  profession,  as  well 
as  from  the  attractions  of  cultivated  society  and  the 
amenities  of  home,  he  stepped  unfalteringly  forth  from 
the  vocations  of  peace  to  offer  himself  a  volunteer  in 
the  cause  of  his  country.  The  offer  was  the  result  of 
no  transient  enthusiasm  fanned  into  life  by  the 
breeze  of  these  mighty  events,  which,  as  they  swept 
by  in  their  ordained  procession,  were  shaking  to  its 
foundations  the  fabric  of  our  national  existence.  Nor 
was  it  the  creature  of  that  harmless  vanity  which 
exults  in  the  display  of  military  insignia  in  holiday 
parade.  No  !  no  !  For,  hark  !  the  measured  tread  of 
armed  men  falls  upon  the  ear ;  and  they  are  clad,  too, 
not   in  the  trappings  of  holiday  parade,  but    in  the 


PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   ALBANY   BAR.  25 

stem  habiliments  of  active  service.  It  is  the  tramp 
of  a  regiment !  the  18th,  Regiment,  as  it  moves  through 
the  streets  of  our  city  on  its  way  to  do  battle  in  the 
cause  of  our  country.  And  at  its  head,  with  steady 
step,  marches  its  young  and  chivalrous  Colonel, — 
William  A.  Jackson. 

But  William  A.  Jackson  is  dead !  dead,  ere  the 
first  ruddy  flush  of  early  manhood  had  faded  from 
his  cheek, — dead,  before  the  last  echoes  of  the  heavy 
tramp  of  his  marching  regiment  had  fairly  died  from 
our  hearing.  That  sad,  sad  pageant  of  yesterday, 
with  its  funeral  melodies,  its  riderless  horses,  and  its 
sorrow-bowed  mourners,  tells  us  that  the  tumult  of 
the  coming  conflict  and  the  clash  of  arms  will  only 
fall  upon  a  dull,  cold  ear;  that  his  eye  will  never 
again  light  up  with  the  enthusiasm  of  battle,  or  kindle 
with  joy  over  the  brightening  prospects  of  the  country 
which  he  loved. 

But,  with  such  a  record,  it  seems  almost  but  idle 
ceremony  to  stand  here  and  utter  words  of  eulogy. 

William  A.  Jackson  has  bequeathed  to  those  who 
survive  him  a  name  not,  perhaps,  imperishable,  but 
one  which  will  be  identified  with  the  future  history  of 
his  country. 

Although  he  died  not,  perhaps,  as  a  soldier  would 


26  PROCEEDINGS   OF    THE    ALBANY   BAR. 

most  wish  to  die,  upon  the  battle-field,  with  his  face 
to  the  foe,  fanned  by  the  folds  of  his  country's  flag,  as 
it  waves  in  the  rush  of  the  conflict,  yet  he  died  in  his 
country's  cause,  in  his  country's  service,  and  with 
"his  martial  cloak  around  him."  He  has  laid  upon 
the  altar  of  his  country  all  that  she  could  ask  of  her 
child, —  himself.  History  will  do  him  justice;  his 
country  will  not  forget  him. 

Blessings  be  upon  his  memory,  and  "  may  the  earth 
rest  light  upon  him ! " 

His  Honor,  Recorder  Austin,  further  addressed  the 
meeting,  as  follows: 

Without  solicitation  from  any  one,  but  simply  be- 
cause I  feel  that  it  becomes  me  to  contribute  my  mite 
to  the  honor  which  we  have  met  to  pay  to  the  memon- 
of  one  of  the  most  esteemed  of  the  younger  members 
of  our  bar,  I  beg  to  be  indulged  in  the  expression  of 
my  own  sympathy  with  all  that  has  been  said  and 
done  here. 

It  was  my  fortune  to  know  him  not  only  in  the 
exercise  of  his  profession,  but  also  with  a  considerable 
degree  of  personal  intimacy.  I  can  add  nothing  but 
my  approval  to  what  has  been  said  of  his  uncommon 
aptitude  for  professional  pursuits,  his  quick  and  pene- 


PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   ALBANY   BAR.  27 

trating    intelligence,    his   ready   word,    his   scholarly 
acquirements,  and  his  genial  and  generous  nature. 

In  this  last  respect,  he  added  the  quality,  which 
often  renders  men  beloved  as  well  as  respected,  of 
being  quite  as  confiding  in  the  honor  of  others,  as 
he  was  himself  faithful  to  any  confidence  reposed 
in  him. 

We  have  come  here,  however,  to  honor  him  not 
merely,  nor  indeed  mainly,  for  his  professional  and 
social  character,  but  for  the  devotion  of  his  life  to  the 
service  of  his  country  at  a  dark  crisis  in  her  history, 
and  I  cannot  omit  an  allusion  to  the  spirit  and  motive 
with  which  he  entered  on  his  last  career.  In  my 
own  judgment,  it  was  not  through  any  vulgar  ambi- 
tion for  mere  military  distinction,  but  from  a  convic- 
tion of  duty  much  more  honorable  to  him. 

In  a  brief  but  free  conversation  with  him  at  the 
first  outbreak  of  the  war,  he  gave  such  expression  to 
his  sentiments  on  this  matter,  as  satisfied  me  that  he 
did  it  from  a  sense  of  personal  obligation,  which 
bound  him  by  every  consideration  of  respect  for  his 
own  character  and  his  own  position  in  the  world,  to 
make  every  sacrifice  for  the  restoration  of  his  country, 
and  called  upon  him,  like  an  outspoken  public  opinion, 
that  he  should  go  ! 


28  PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   ALBANY   BAR. 

It  always  seemed  to  me,  therefore,  that  he  enlisted 
in  this  war  in  the  spirit  of  sacrifice,  which  makes  men 
not  only  heroes  and  patriots,  but  martyrs. 

In  obeying  this  sentiment  of  duty,  and  giving  away 
his  life  in  a  cause  so  noble,  he  has  given  proof  of  a 
loyalty  and  public  spirit  which  sheds,  not  only  upon 
his  own  name  and  on  our  own  bar,  but  on  our  entire 
profession,  a  ray  of  enduring  honor. 

Hon.  John  V.  L.  Pruyn  then  said : 

It  is  not  my  intention,  Mr.  Chairman,  to  add  to 
what  has  so  appropriately  been  said  of  the  life  and 
character  of  Mr.  Jackson,  but  simply  to  speak  of  my 
regard  for  his  memory,  and  to  express  the  respect  and 
deep  sympathy  I  entertain  for  the  father  and  the 
mother  who  have  lost  a  much  loved  son,  and  for  the 
family  circle  from  which  a  dearly  prized  member  has 
been  suddenly  removed. 

I  knew  the  deceased  somewhat,  almost  from  his  boy- 
hood, and  for  some  years  past  had  met  him  frequently 
in  social  life,  and  occasionally  in  professional  matters. 
His  manly  bearing,  his  frankness,  his  kindness  of 
heart,  and  his  good  mental  capacities,  impressed  me 
most  favorably,  and  I  looked  upon  his  future  as  one 
both  of  hope  and  promise.     He  went  forth  as  a  true 


. 


PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   ALBANY   BAR.  29 

member  of  our  profession  to  the  defence  of  the  consti- 
tution and  laws  of  Jiis  country,  most  unjustifiably 
assailed  by  some  of  its  own  sons,  and  laid  down  his 
life  in  the  effort  to  re-establish  and  vindicate  the 
authority  of  the  government  under  which  he  was  born, 
and  to  which  he  acknowledged  his  faith  and  allegiance. 
He  died  early,  but  he  died  well..  It  becomes  me  not 
to  speak  of  his  closing  hours,  more  than  to  say  that 
he  met  his  last  foe,  he  to  whom  we  all  must  bow,  with 
calmness  and  hopeful  trust  in  the  future,  and  that  we 
have  good  reason  to  believe  that  he  left  the  struggles 
of  this  life  for  the  rest  and  peace  of  a  better. 

I  am  glad  to  find  so  many  of  the  members  of  the 
Bar  met  to  honor  the  memory  of  their  departed 
brother,  and  I  hope  that  our  proceedings  may  be  placed 
in  a  more  extended  and  permanent  form,  than  the 
brief  notice  to  which  the  journals  of  the  day  must 
necessarily  be  confined. 

J.  M.  Kimball,  Esq.,  then  spoke  as  follows : 

Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen : 

In  all  that  has  been  said  of  our  deceased  brother,  I 
fully  concur.  The  eloquent  tributes  paid  to  his  memo- 
ry are  well  deserved.  He  was  possessed  of  great 
talents,  adorned  by  a  finished  education.    Scarce  thirty 


30  PROCEEDINGS   OF    THE    ALBANY    BAR. 

years  of  age,  he  had  attained  an  honorable  place  at  the 
Bar,  prominence  throughout  our  state  as  an  orator, 
and  had  reached  high  official  position  in  the  state 
government.  His  heart  was  as  good,  as  his  head  was 
clear.  Very  few  enemies,  and  friends  without  number, 
were  his.  I  rise  to  relate  an  incident  which  I  heard 
told  of  him  by  Capt.  Green  of  the  United  States  Army, 
the  day  after  the  battle  of  Bull  Run  :  Capt.  Green's 
battery  was  stationed  near  the  left  wing  of  the  army, 
where  he  was  ordered  to  open  on  the  enemy's  right. 
He  had  some  difficulty  in  finding  a  regiment  willing 
to  cover  his  battery,  when  Col.  Jackson  stepped  for- 
ward, and  voluntarily  said,  "  I  will  cover  your  battery 
with  ray  regiment,  sir."  He  kept  his  word,  and  Capt. 
Green  pronounced  him  a  good  officer  and  brave  man. 
The  promptness  and  courage  shown  by  him  on  that 
occasion,  proves  how  worthily  he  filled  his  high  mili- 
tary command.  The  words  "  I  will  cover  your  battery 
with  my  regiment,  sir,"  and  the  valor  of  himself  and 
men  on  that  day,  will  ever  be  a  just  source  of  pride  to 
his  friends  and  countrymen,  and  carry  his  name  far 
down  to  the  future. 

Hon.  A.  D.  Robinson,  Chairman  of  the  Committee, 
then  presented  the  following 


PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE    ALBANY    BAR.  31 


RESOLUTIONS. 
In  the  flower  of  his  age,  in  the  midst  of  a  life 
giving  the  most  brilliant  promise,  has  departed  from 
this  world,  William  A.  Jackson,  a  member  of  the 
Albany  Bar.  Assembled  as  we  are  in  view  of  this 
sad  event : 

Resolved,  That  we  have  heard  of  the  death  of  our 
late  associate,  William  A.  Jackson,  with  feelings  of 
heartfelt  sorrow.  Short,  comparatively,  as  has  been 
his  career  among  us,  we  had  not  failed  to  recognize  and 
appreciate  his  intellectual  abilities,  his  noble  qualities 
of  mind,  and  his  high  attainments.  His  genial  dispo- 
sition, added  to  these,  endeared  him  to  us,  and  plea- 
sant thoughts  of  our  intercourse  with  him  in  times 
gone  by  linger  round  his  memory. 

Resolved,  That  we  honor  the  memory  of  him  who, 
leaving  the  well  earned  rewards  of  his  profession, 
volunteered  at  his  country's  call  to  do  her  bidding. 
While  acting  nobly  his  part  as  a  patriot  and  a  soldier, 
he  was  summoned  hence,  and  there  was  added  to  the 
roll  of  the  honored  dead  the  name  of  our  departed 
brother. 


32  PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   ALBANY   BAR. 

Resolved,  That  in  his  death  our  country  has  lost 
an  officer  who  had  proved  himself  worthy  the  trust 
reposed  in  him ;  our  profession  a  cherished  ornament ; 
and  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances  one 
endeared  b}^  the  strongest  ties  of  love  and  friendship. 

Resolved,  That  sympathizing  as  we  do  with  the 
family  of  the  deceased,  we  would  point  them  to  his 
honorable  career,  and  pray  that  God  would  sustain 
and  comfort  them  in  this  the  hour  of  their  affliction 
and  trial. 

The  resolutions  having  been  unanimously  adopted, 
Hon.  John  K.  Porter  suggested  that  the  officers  of 
the  meeting,  and  Messrs.  Pruyn,  Cochrane,  Olcott, 
Shepard,  Strong  and  J.  Howard  King,  be  appointed  a 
Committee,  on  behalf  of  the  Bar,  to  prepare  some 
fitting  Memorial,  more  effectually  to  perpetuate  the 
proceedings  of  this  meeting. 

On  motion  of  Orlando  Meads,  Esq.,  the  meeting 
adjourned. 


kmt&inp  at  the  (Bxmtm  (Stamfwr. 


By  direction  of  his  Excellency,  Gov.  Morgan,  the 
members  of  his  staff,  present  in  Albany,  met  in  the 
Executive  Chamber,  on  the  evening  of  Nov.  12th,  to 
take  such  action  as  might  be  deemed  appropriate  in 
regard  to  the  death  of  Col.  William  A.  Jackson,  com- 
manding the  18  th  Regiment  of  New  York  State 
Volunteers,  and  formerly  Inspector-General  of  this 
State,  who  expired  at  Washington  on  the  evening  of 
the  11th  instant. 

The  following  members  of  his  staff  were  pre- 
sent :  Adjutant-General  Hillhouse,  Inspector-General 
Patrick,  Commissary-General  Welch,  Surgeon-General 
Vanderpoel,  Quartermaster-General  Van  Vechten,  Aide- 
de-Camp  Arden,  and  Military  Secretary  Linsley 

On  assuming  the  Chair,  his  Excellency  expressed, 
with  great  feeling,  his  deep  sense  of  the  sad  occasion 
which  had  induced  him  to  convene  the  members  of 
his  military  family,  and  suggested  that  such  action 
should  be  had  as  the   melancholy  event  called  for. 


34  PROCEEDINGS   AT   THE   EXECUTIVE   CHAMBER. 

He  added  that  the  death  of  Col.  Jackson  came  upon 
us  with  peculiar  force.  That  he  had  been  an  esteemed 
member  of  his  staff,  and  was  a  much-loved  citizen  of 
Albany  at  the  time  he  assumed  the  command  of  the 
Regiment,  and  that  it  was  eminently  proper  that 
this  especial  notice  should  be  taken  of  his  death,  by 
himself  and  the  members  of  his  staff  who  were  now 
present. 

Whereupon  Com. -Gen.  Welch,  with  the  permission 
of  his  Excellency,  submitted  the  following  resolu- 
tions : 

Resolved,  That  we  have  heard,  with  emotions  of 
profound  sorrow,  of  the  death  of  a  former  associate, 
Col.  William  A.  Jackson,  commanding  the  18th  Regi- 
ment of  New  York  Volunteers,  who  was  among  the 
first  to  sacrifice  honorable  public  position,  professional 
honors  and  emoluments,  and  cherished  personal  asso- 
ciations, in  defence  of  the  flag  of  the  country  and  the 
integrity  of  the  Union. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  this  young  soldier, 
who  was  endeared  to  us  by  those  sterling  characteris- 
tics of  manhood  which  he  possessed  in  so  eminent  a 
degree,  we  are  overwhelmed  with  grief,  not  only  be- 
cause an  estimable  friend  and  associate  has  been  taken 
from  us,  but  because  the  country,  now  passing  the 


PROCEEDINGS   AT   THE   EXECUTIVE   CHAMBER.  35 

severest  ordeal  of  its  existence,  has  lost  one  of  its  able 
and  zealous  champions.*" 

Resolved,  That  the  loss  of  Col.  Jackson,  so  deeply 
felt  here,  in  the  city  of  his  former  residence,  and  so 
much  to  be  deplored  everywhere,  calls  for  some  public 
manifestation  of  the  wide  spread  sorrow  which  his 
early  death  has  evoked. 

Resolved,  That  his  Excellency  the  Governor,  be 
respectfully  requested  to  forward  to  the  immediate 
relatives  of  the  deceased,  a  copy  of  these  resolutions, 
with  an  expression  of  our  deep  and  unaffected  sym- 
pathy with  them  in  this,  their  great  bereavement. 

Which  were  unanimously  adopted. 


(&mm&  (Bx&w. 


Headquarters  5th  Brigade,         1 
November  15,  1861.  / 
[General  Order  No.  13.] 

The  General  commanding  the  Brigade,  on  his  return, 
has  heard  with  lively  sorrow  of  the  decease  of  Col. 
William  A.  Jackson,  commanding  the  18th  Regiment, 
New  York  Volunteers. 

Deprived,  by  circumstances  over  which  he  had  no 
control,  of  the  melancholy  privilege  of  witnessing  his 
last  moments  or  of  being  present  at  the  funeral 
obsequies,  the  General  commanding  wishes  at  least  to 
testify  his  profound  sense  of  the  loss  to  the  service 
experienced  by  the  decease  of  this  accomplished 
soldier  and  gentleman. 

The  high  state  of  discipline  and  efficiency  attained 
by  the  18th  Regiment  is  a  testimony  to  the  zeal  and 
intelligence  of  the  deceased  more  honorable  and  com- 
plete than  the  most  elaborate  eulogium. 

By  order  Brig.  Gen.  Newton. 

JAS.  E.  MONTGOMERY,  Asst.  Adj.  Gen. 


Itwlutiw  <rf  the  18th  |t t$xnm\t 


At  a  meeting  of  the  18th  Regiment,  N.  Y.  S.  V., 
at  Camp  King,  Nov.  18th,  1861,  the  following  pre- 
amble and  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted  : 

Whereas,  it  has  pleased  God,  in  his  all-wise  pro- 
vidence, to  take  from  our  midst  our  beloved  Colonel, 
William  A.  Jackson  ;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  while  we  bow  in  submission  to  the 
fiat  that  has  taken  from  us  our  gallant  and  generous 
commander,  we  deeply  mourn  his  death,  and  feel  that 
we  have  lost  not  only  an  accomplished  and  brave 
officer,  but  a  true  friend  and  brother. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  Col.  Jackson,  the 
nation  has  lost  a  patriot,  the  army  of  the  Potomac 
one  of  her  ablest  and  most  efficient  officers ;  one  who, 
in  the  hour  of  battle,  sacrificed  all  considerations  of 
personal  safety  to  the  interests  of  his  country. 

Resolved,  That  while  cognizant  of  our  own  sad- 
ness, we  are  not  forgetful  of  the  grief  of  those  upon 
whom  the  affliction  falls  most  heavily.     To  the  be- 


38  RESOLUTIONS. 


reaved  parents  and  family  of  the  deceased,  we  tender 
our  heartfelt  sympathy  and  condolence. 

Resolved,  That  the  Regiment  wear  the  usual  badge 
of  mourning  for  thirty  days. 

Resolved,  That  copies  of  these  resolutions  be  trans- 
mitted  to   the  parents   of  the   deceased,    to   Co.    A, 
Albany  Zouave  Cadets,  10th  Regiment  N.  Y.  S.  M., 
and  to  the  Albany  and  Schenectady  papers. 
WM.  H.  YOUNG,  Lt.  Col., 

Commanding  18th  N.  Y.  S.  V. 

Lieut.  Wm.  Horsfall,  Acting  Adjutant. 


IwMtiW  of  the  gtfkntj  Umax*  Cadets 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Albany  Zouave  Cadets,  held  at 
their  armory,  Monday  evening,  November  11th,  Capt. 
Cuyler  Van  Vechten  announced  to  the  company  the 
solemn  news  of  the  death  of  Col.  Jackson.  On 
motion,  a  committee  of  four  were  appointed,  who 
reported  the  following  resolutions,  which  were  unani- 
mously adopted : 

Resolved,  That  we  profoundly  deplore  the  loss  sus- 
tained by  our  country  in  the  death  of  that  gallant 
and  accomplished  officer,  William  A.  Jackson,  late 
Colonel  18th  Regiment  New  York  State  Volunteers. 

Resolved,  That  in  this  calamity  we,  as  a  company, 
mourn  the  departure  of  one  who,  connected  with  our 
organization  from  its  origin,  was  equally  loved  by  us 
for  his  many  noble  qualities  of  heart,  and  admired  for 
his  high  intellectual  culture  and  abilities. 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  our  sympathies  to  the 
officers  and  privates  of  the  18th  Regiment,  in  appre- 
ciation of  the  great  loss  they  have  been  called  upon 
to  meet  in  the  death  of  their  leader;    and  that  we 


40  RESOLUTIONS. 


sincerely  condole  with  the  relatives  of  the  deceased 
in  their  present  deep  affliction. 

Resolved,  That  we  attend  the  funeral  obsequies 
and  escort  the  remains  to  the  tomb  with  military 
honors;  and  that  we  wear  the  usual  badge  of  mourn- 
ing for  thirty  days. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  trans- 
mitted to  the  family  of  the  deceased ;  and  also  to  the 
18th  Regiment,  and  that  these  resolutions  be  inserted 
in  the  daily  papers  of  this  city. 

(Signed.)  A.  C.  JUDSON,  Chairman. 

D.  S.  Benton,  Secretary. 


THE  FOLLOWING  ADDRESS, 

Delivered  at  Albany r  February  22,  1858,  by  the  late 
COL.  WILLIAM  A.  JACKSON, 

Of  the  Eighteenth  Regiment  of  New-York  Volunteers, 

Is  presented  as  a  memento  of  him  to  the  Officers  and  Privates  of 
the  Regiment,  by  their  friend  Professor  Jackson. 

Fellow-Citizens : 
I  propose  to  speak  to  you  of  the  Patriot  Soldier. 

I  can  conceive  of  no  subject  more  appropriate 
to  the  day,  which  the  Union  with  a  single  voice 
dedicates  to  the  memory  of  one,  whose  life  and 
virtues  pronounce  him  to  be  the  Father  of  the 
Republic. 

The  soldier  acts  an  important  part  in  the 
destiny  of  nations.  From  time  immemorial,  the 
supremacy  of  great  principles,  the  progress  of 
reforms,  the  elevation  of  popular  ideas,  have 
found  their  sustaining  power  in  the  sword. 

The  patriot  soldier,  thus  reminded  by  history 
of  the  part  he  may  be  called  to  assume,  should 
remember  that  he  is  the  conservator  of  what  is 
right  in  the  present,  the  guardian  of  truth  yet 
to  be  developed;  and  that  he  should  so  act, 
think,  and  labor,  as  to  render  himself  the  man 
of  the  times,  prompt  in  thought,  ready  in 
action,  fearless  in  the  discharge  of  duty. 


—     2     — 

The  first  principle  of  the  soldier's  education 
is  the  resolution  of  all  individual  feelings  and 
passions  into  the  single  idea  of  the  full  and 
proper  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  position. 
He  must  learn  that  he  is  but  a  unit  in  the  com- 
position of  a  force.  He  must  never  forget  that 
efficacy  and  completeness  of  action  are  only 
ensured  by  singleness  of  purpose. 

To  accomplish  this  result,  the  soldier  must 
forget  himself,  must  banish  all  trivial  thoughts 
from  his  mind,  and  make  duty  the  pole  star  of 
his  life.  He,  then,  must  be  unselfish  :  his  plea- 
sures, his  feelings,  his  passions,  however  stimu- 
lated, must  yield  a  graceful  submission  to  the 
imperative  principle  of  duty. 

To  abnegate  self  is  difficult,  but  it  is  equally 
heroic ;  and  he  who  obtains  the  victory  has 
won  but  the  first  of  a  long  series  of  battles, 
whose  procession  accumulates  glory  for  his 
name,  and,  still  better,  awards  the  noble  satis- 
faction of  a  well  spent  life. 

Actuated  by  this  idea,  obstacles  disappear, 
dangers  vanish,  and  ambition  and  enthusiasm 
are  thoroughly  aroused.  The  true  heroes  of  the 
world  give  you  their  examples.  They  fought 
and  conquered  in  life,  because  they  resolved  all 


thought  of  self  into  the  one  idea  of  duty.  In 
death,  they  still  live,  because  the  meed  of  glory 
belongs  to  him  alone  whose  duty  was  the  para- 
mount object  of  his  life.  You  may  find  them 
upon  every  field,  in  every  rank,  of  every  tongue. 
Roman  or  Grecian,  Gaul,  Briton,  or  American, 
they  close  around  us,  a  phalanx,  whose  front  is 
always  towards  the  enemy,  and  never  broken. 
The  soldier  who  emulates  such  examples,  comes 
to  regard  his  duty  as  a  pleasure,  not  a  task  : 
he  perforins  it  because  it  is  right,  not  because 
honor  or  emolument  will  be  the  result.  In  its 
discharge  he  anticipates  no  reward ;  but,  for  its 
proper  fulfilment,  reward  will  seek  him  out. 

The  patriot  soldier,  devoted  to  the  perform- 
ance of  his  duty  for  its  sake  alone,  will  be  en- 
thusiastic in  his  devotion  to  his  cause,  and  true 
to  the  preferment  of  its  interests.  He  will  be 
the  man  of  principle.  He  will  never  forget  those 
innate  sentiments  of  honor  implanted  in  every 
heart.  His  enthusiasm  will  be  based  upon  truth. 
Duty  and  interest  will  be  one,  and  no  detail  of 
his  service,  no  requirement  of  his  country  will 
be  neglected.  Then  indeed  is  the  heart  in  the 
cause  :  then  is  there  a  motive  to  exertion,  which 
will  render  it  invincible. 


Men  may  be  drilled  to  move  and  fight  with 
the  exactitude  of  machines ;  but  without  this 
enthusiasm  springing  from  these  causes,  they 
are  mere  automata.  With  this  motive  in  the 
heart  of  every  soldier,  the  mass  is  a  unit :  then 
superiority  of  force  cannot  defeat,  though  it  may 
exterminate.  Thermopylae,  Chaaronia,  Waterloo, 
present  you  their  examples  of  devoted  squares 
never  broken,  never  yielding,  till  the  protracted 
agony  of  battle  closed  upon  a  field,  where  death 
could  claim  no  more.  The  enthusiasm  of  the  pa- 
triot soldier,  fully  persuaded  of  the  rectitude  of 
his  cause,  feeling  that  he  has  left  unperformed 
no  requirement  of  his  calling",  finds  no  obstacle 
in  the  presence  of  an  enemy :  skilful  disposition 
of  forces  does  not  overawe  him,  fearful  odds 
dismay  him  not ;  they  are  but  inducements  to 
more  strenuous  exertions,  and  each  man  fights 
as  if  upon  his  efforts  depended  the  safety  of  the 
army  and  the  ultimate  possession  of  the  field. 
Such  soldiers  were  the  Hollanders  of  William 
the  Silent,  fighting  for  religious  freedom  amid 
the  tumbling  walls  and  ruined  homes  of  their 
besieged  cities  :  such  the  Ironsides  of  Crom- 
well, sternly  fighting  for  a  Christian  Common- 
wealth :  such  the  Patriots  of  '76,  fighting  for 


•  —    5    — 

the  liberty  we  now  enjoy ;  such  the  men  of  the 
Empire,  fighting  for  the  glory  of  France  and 
the  progress  of  thought.  These  men  had  a  de- 
finite purpose,  and  preserved  a  unity  of  senti- 
ment which  was  the  element  of  their  success. 
They  possessed  those  soldiery  instincts  and 
qualities  which  proceed  from  love  of  duty  and 
enthusiasm  in  its  discharge.  Each  soldier  filled 
properly  his  sphere;  and  all  moving  from  a 
common  center  in  the  harmonious  pursuance  of 
a  single  purpose,  they  astounded  the  world  by 
exploits  which  will  remain  unrivalled,  until, 
the  times  "  once  more  out  of  joint,"  popular 
necessities  shall  evoke  the  dormant  talents  of 
men,  born  to  organize,  to  conquer,  to  reform. 
But  if  the  times  do  not  require  the  immediate 
rivalry  of  those  great  deeds,  the  memory  of 
which  thrills  every  soul  with  admiration,  they 
do  require,  and  love  of  country,  of  hearthstone, 
requires,  that  we  should  never  cease  the  "  note 
of  preparation ;"  that  we  should  never  forget, 
as  citizen  soldiers,  to  emulate  those  men,  who 
have  bequeathed  to  all  coming  ages  examples 
of  chivalry,  of  fortitude,  of  patient  suffering  and 
heroic  valor.  In  such  emulation,  there  is  no  hero 
worship.  We  do  not  offer  the  mere  man  as  an 


—     6     — 

example,  but  his  great  qualities,  his  good  ac- 
tions, his  love  for  humanity,  his  hatred  of  the 
wrong. 

Time  is  ever  exhibiting  men  becoming  heroic 
in  the  simple  discharge  of  duty  :  the  nameless 
graves  of  every  battle-field  attest  it.  Even  now 
English  voices  send  from  the  sultry  plains  of 
India  the  names  of  Neil  and  Nicholson,  and 
swell  the  panegyric  and  the  dirge  in  mournful 
unison  over  the  tomb  of  Havelock. 

There  is  heroism  in  every  profession  of  life, 
and  the  soldier  may  find  much  to  emulate  in  the 
quiet  unassuming  courage  which  consecrates 
more  peaceful  avocations  than  his  own.  He  sees 
it  in  the  frontiersman,  lighting  the  torch  of 
civilization  in  the  far  West ;  in  the  reformer, 
enduring  ridicule  and  persecution ;  in  the  ma- 
riner, braving  the  storm  of  the  Tropics,  or 
bursting  the  icy  barriers  of  the  Poles.  And 
where,  citizens  of  Albany,  can  you  find  a  nobler 
fortitude,  a  higher  chivalry,  a  greater  heroism, 
than  in  the  calm  courage  of  one,  who  lately 
walked  our  streets,  a  citizen  of  ours,  who,  in 
the  awful  hour  of  impending  death,  when  the 
prison-house  of  the  elements  was  opened,  and 
they  battled   in   their   fury  over  the  Central 


—     7    — 

America,  stood  at  the  post  of  duty,  firm,  un- 
daunted, and  went  down  bravely  with  his 
sinking  ship,  true  to  the  instincts  of  his  noble 
nature  —  Charles  Van  Rensselaer. 

The  world  is  filled  with  the  history  of  heroes; 
and  be  they  explorers  or  reformers,  mariners 
or  soldiers,  men  of  peace  or  men  of  battle,  their 
deeds  are  the  heritage  of  the  world,  and  it  were 
ungrateful  not  to  enjoy  the  gift  by  profiting  by 
the  example. 

If  the  soldier  is  unselfish  and  enthusiastic  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duty,  he  will  avoid  the 
bane  of  every  avocation,  jealousy.  Rivalry  of  the 
proper  kind  is  open,  frank  and  generous :  it  does 
not  seek  renown  in  the  discomfiture  of  others, 
but  in  its  own  superiority.  A  generous  rivalry 
never  wounds,  but  lends  a  helping  hand  to  him 
who  has  failed  in  the  struggle.  In  the  great 
efforts  of  life,  it  does  not  attempt  to  retard 
competition,  but,  to  render  its  own  victory 
complete,  invites  and  encourages  it.  On  the 
battle-field,  the  brave  and  generous  soldier,  fully 
alive  to  his  own  responsibilities,  quickens  the 
energy  of  one,  stimulates  the  faltering  sense  of 
duty  in  another,  and  permeates  all  who  surround 
him  with  the  vitality  of  his  own  purpose.  When 


—     8    — 

the  trumpets  sound  the  charge,  he  not  only- 
nerves  himself  to  the  full  execution  of  his  duty, 
but  infuses  among  his  comrades  that  hopefulness 
of  spirit,  which  enables  every  one,  amid  the 
carnage  of  the  battle,  to  sustain  the  honor  of 
his  cause  and  the  dignity  of  his  manhood. 

Mere  physical  courage,  without  moral  force, 
cannot  prove  the  successful  champion  of  any 
cause.  The  great  soldiers  of  the  world  who  have 
accomplished  important  results  for  humanity, 
were  men  who  established  a  standard  of  soldier- 
ly excellence,  and  not  only  satisfied  themselves 
with  its  attainment,  but  impressed  its  necessity 
upon  all  who  came  within  the  sphere  of  their 
influence.  The  great  underlying  principle  of  this 
standard  is  that  which  invests  it  with  a  moral 
force,  unhesitating  discharge  of  duty.  What  ho- 
nor is  to  every  man,  what  virtue  is  to  woman, 
is  the  strict  performance  of  duty  to  the  soldier. 
His  duty  is  a  jewel,  whose  rays  brighten  and 
make  beautiful  his  life  :  it  is  a  talisman  of 
mighty  power.  The  remembrance  of  its  dis- 
charge soothes  the  dying  soldier  on  the  stricken 
field,  whispers  in  his  ear  the  meed  of  well- 
earned  praise,  tells  him  that  the  recompense  of 
his  valor  shall  be  the  tears  of  his  countrymen. 


—     9     — 

What  nobler  epitaph  can  be  graven  upon  the 
tomb  of  any  man?  What  better  eulogy  pro- 
nounced upon  his  Jife,  than  the  simple  words 
"He  did  his  duty!" 

The  qualities  of  which  I  have  spoken  are  the 
necessary  characteristics  of  every  soldier  who 
comprehends  the  true  purpose  of  his  calling. 
In  the  patriot  soldier,  whose  mission  it  is  to 
struggle  for  the  supremacy  of  great  principles, 
who  is  the  gallant  champion  of  an  invaded 
country  or  the  fearless  crusader  of  liberty,  these 
qualities  should  find  their  most  perfect  develop- 
ment. He  who  maintains  a  great  cause  success- 
fully, is  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  enthusiasm 
its  principles  beget.  He  who  consecrates  his 
sword  to  a  holy  purpose  must  be  pure  at  heart, 
if  he  would  identify  himself  with  the  principle 
for  which  he  struggles. 

The  mercenary  can  fight  manfully  and  die 
heroically  for  his  hire.  He  finds  pleasure  in  the 
excitement  and  carnage  of  the  battle  :  he  looks 
not  beyond  the  mere  fact  of  success.  In  a  great 
victory,  he  recognizes  only  the  hand  of  his 
general,  only  the  supremacy  of  brute  force,  and 
its  highest  results  are  to  him  the  opportunities 
of  destruction  and  pillage. 
2 


—     10     - 

If  such  motives  can  impel  the  display  of 
courage,  what  must  be  the  enthusiasm,  the 
valor,  the  determination  of  one  who  fights  for 
an  idea  which  his  heart  has  cherished,  for  that 
which  reason  and  reflection  have  approved,  for 
that  which  his  better  nature  craves  with  all  its 
strength  ? 

The  battle  then  is  not  the  mere  tournament 
of  rival  generals,  not  the  mere  concussion  of 
opposing  forces,  not  the  mere  display  of  courage 
or  the  gravity  of  brute  strength  ;  but  the  grave 
contest  of  discordant  ideas,  the  threshold  of  new 
systems,  the  effort  to  elevate  or  ameliorate  the 
condition  of  a  people,  to  .avenge  the  wrongs  of 
centuries,  or  restrain  the  license  of  a  disordered 
sentiment.  For  such  purposes  are  the  exertions 
of  the  patriot  soldier  needed  :  to  effect  them, 
calls  for  the  display  of  those  qualities  which 
constitute  soldierly  excellence.  To  be  prepared 
when  the  time  demands  his  services,  requires 
of  the  patriot  soldier  a  thorough  study  and 
appreciation  of  those  duties  which  are  in  them- 
selves virtues,  that  tarnish  or  brighten  as  they 
are  neglected  or  cultivated,  and  upon  whose 
performance  depends  the  stability  of  all  govern- 
ments, the  safety  of  all  homes,  the  happiness 
of  all  people. 


—   11   — 

What  a  stimulus  to  the  discharge  of  his  duty 
has  the  American  Soldier  !  The  defence  of  a 
land  where  Freedom  sits  enthroned  in  the  heart 
of  the  nation;  where  a  beacon  fire  has  been 
kindled,  whose  rajs,  shining  steadily  forth  over 
the  troubled  earth,  tell  of  an  asylum  for  the 
oppressed,  where  the  blessings  of  peace  and 
liberty  are  inseparable,  where  contentment 
presides  at  the  lowliest  hearthstone,  where 
prosperity  is  universal,  because  industry  is 
untrammelled ;  where  production  is  assisted  by 
government,  not  fettered  by  oppressive  enact- 
ments ;  where  all  are  happy  because  all  are 
free,  and  all  are  free  because  all  appreciate  their 
rights. 

Before  the  American  Soldier  is  placed  the 
example  of  those  patriots  whose  labors  created 
the  system  which  it  his  duty  to  preserve. 

That  army  of  freemen  has  nearly  passed 
away.  Here  and  there  a  solitary  form,  riven  and 
blasted  with  the  storms  of  a  century,  lingers  in 
our  midst,  stately  and  venerable  as  an  oak  of 
the  forest. 

Such  an  one  is  in  our  assembly  to-day  :  John 
O'Brien  Shenandoah,  in  whose  memory,  at  the 
age  of  one  hundred  and  six  years,  remain  the 


—     12    — 

events  of  the  revolution  as  fresh  and  vivid  as 
though  they  were  of  yesterday. 

To  the  names  of  those  patriots,  our  history 
has  given  immortal^  :  our  present  greatness  is 
their  eulogy.  Their  mission  was  to  scourge  from 
the  land  the  rapacious  instruments  of  tyranny, 
to  lift  from  the  popular  vision  the  blinding  veil 
of  despotism,  to  open  a  new  era  in  the  progress 
of  humanity,  by  asserting  the  inalienable  rights 
of  man.  Their  mission  was  accomplished  :  this 
Great  Union  is  at  once  the  proof  and  the  monu- 
ment of  their  services. 

As  if  Providence  had  deemed  the  crisis  which 
evolved  our  liberty  the. most  important  the 
world  yet  had  seen,  and  requiring  in  its  deve- 
lopment the  assistance  of  the  grandest  combi- 
nation of  human  virtues  the  mind  can  conceive, 
a  man  was  provided  for  the  emergency,  who, 
in  every  sphere  of  life,  whether  as  soldier  or 
civilian,  whether  on  the  battle-field  or  in  the 
cabinet,  presented  qualities  so  perfect  in  their 
adaptation  to  the  times,  so  loyal  to  the  great 
principles  of  truth  and  honor,  that  with  one 
accord  the  voice  of  the  nations  has  assigned 
him  a  place  above  all  others,  and  speaks  his 
name  only  with  the  accents  of  reverence  and 
love. 


—     13    — 

The  birth  of  that  man  we  celebrate  to-day. 
Twenty  millions  of  people  have  his  name  upon 
their  lips,  and  hi«  memory  in  their  hearts. 
There  needs  no  monument,  striking  the  stars, 
to  tell  us  he  has  lived  ;  for  the  heart  of  every 
man  in  this  broad  land  throbbed  with  a  prouder 
pulsation,  as  this  morning's  sun  arose  to  remind 
him  that  he  was  the  countryman  of  Washington. 
The  noblest  tribute  the  American  people  can 
pay  to  the  memory  of  Washington  is  to  enshrine 
it  in  their  hearts,  by  making  his  character  the 
national  type.  To  the  soldier  he  presents  the 
truest  model  of  his  profession.  The  qualities 
which  render  him  such,  the  world  knows  and 
has  approved  ;  but  we,  as  a  people,  should  not 
stop  at  approval  :  we  should  justify  the  decision 
by  an  adoption  of  those  principles  which  were 
the  basis  of  his  efforts,  and  which  he  sought  to 
incorporate  in  the  structure  of  our  government. 

The  purest  Republic  that  popular  struggles 
have  inaugurated  was  upheld  in  its  infancy  by 
the  protecting  arm  of  the  purest  man  Heaven 
has  given  to  Earth.  He  was  a  soldier,  so  just, 
so  wise,  so  patriotic,  so  far  removed  from  the 
influence  of  passion,  so  discriminating  in  his 
judgment,  so  wise  in  his  counsels,  so  energetic 


—     14    — 

in  action,  so  thoroughly  the  man  of  principle, 
so  unselfish  and  generous  in  thought  and  word 
and  deed,  so  actuated  by  the  highest  christian 
philosophy,  so  calm  in  danger,  so  utterly  with- 
out fear  and  without  guile,  one  to  whom  it 
seemed  Nature  had  no  more  to  give,  that  our 
humanity  can  hardly  claim  brotherhood  with 
him  in  anything  but  death. 

It  is  this  man,  Citizens,  whose  virtues  have 
made  him  the  admiration  of  the  world,  that  you 
have  the  proud  privilege  of  calling  countryman. 
It  is  this  man,  whose  name  stands  first  in  the 
galaxy  of  great  commanders,  that  you  are  called 
upon  by  the  force  of  your  nationality  to  select 
as  your  example.  Washington  is  not  too  great 
to  be  imitated.  He  was  sent  by  Providence,  not 
only  to  conduct  successfully  our  revolution,  but 
to  bequeath  a  character  for  the  benefit  of  his 
country. 

My  Countrymen  :  The  position  our  nation 
has  assumed,  standing  in  fact  the  solitary  Re- 
public of  the  World,  proudly  independent  and 
defiant,  jealously  watched  by  eyes  eager  and 
willing  to  discover  tokens  of  weakness  and 
decay,  calls  upon  each  citizen  of  our  land  to 
practise  those  virtues,  without  which  the  plan 


—    15    — 

of  self-government  must  be  a  failure.  Your  fu- 
ture happiness  as  a  people,  your  individual 
sovereignty  as  citizens,  your  homes,  your 
hearthstones,  the  coming  manhood  of  your 
children ;  all,  all  implore  with  one  voice  the 
preservation  of  that  spotless  national  honor 
which  Washington  bequeathed  to  the  keeping 
of  your  Fathers. 

Will  their  children  betray  their  trust  ?  Will 
you,  the  voluntary  defenders  of  that  honor, 
permit  your  swords  to  tarnish  with  the  rust 
of  negligence? 

There  can  be  but  one  response.  The  temple 
of  our  liberties  will  remain  the  impregnable 
fortress  of  freedom ;  the  memories  of  our  pa- 
triot soldiers  will  strengthen  you  for  future 
struggles,  and  the  name  of  Washington  will  be 
revered  in  the  adoption  of  his  virtues. 


PRESENTED  TO  THE  FRIENDS 


COLQNEL  JACKSON, 


AS    A    SOUVENIR    OF    HIM. 


AN   ORATION, 


DELIVERED  AT  WINDHAM  CENTRE,  GREENE  COUNTY,  N.Y., 

JULY  4,  1859, 


BY    THE    LATE 


COL  WILLIAM  A.  JACKSON, 

OF   THE    EIGHTEENTH    REGIMENT    OF    NETV-YOHK    VOLUNTEERS. 


ALBANY  : 

C.  VAN  BENTHUYSEN,  PRINTER. 

1863. 


ORATION. 


It  has  been  said,  Fellow -citizens,  that  as  a 
nation,  we  have  no  history.  But  when  I  read  of 
the  enterprize,  the  courage,  the  determination 
which  peculiarly  characterize  the  colonization 
of  our  land  ;  and  when  to-day,  in  looking  about 
me,  I  perceive  the  wonderful  results  that  have 
been  accomplished  since  the  Saxon  arm  began 
the  conflict  with  primeval  nature  on  our  own 
shores,  I  am  persuaded  that  no  other  chapter  in 
the  history  of  the  world  presents  so  splendid  a 
phase  of  human  development. 

Our  history  does  not  offer  the  reader  the 
eventful  succession  of  a  long  and  brilliant  mo- 
narchy :  it  has  no  feudal  and  chivalric  period, 
no  grand  armada,  no  Waterloo  ;  but  it  records 
the  patient  endurance,  the  heroic  suffering,  the 
God-given  energy  and  will  which  have  upreared 
a  mighty  empire.  It  records  the  story  of  a 
revolution,  which  marked  a  new  era  in  the 
progress  of  the  race  ;  it  writes,  on  the  page  of 
heroes,  the  names  of  thousands  whose  brave 
hearts  beat  for  humanity. 


The  contemplation  of  these  facts  in  our  hi- 
story should  give  us  great  pride.  From  these  we 
can  learn  what  it  is  to  be  American  citizens  in 
the  full  and  proper  sense.  They  offer  us  example 
and  advice.  Let  us  ask  ourselves  what  is  Ame- 
rican citizenship  ;  what  the  position,  the  duties, 
the  rewards.  To  be  a  citizen  of  this  free  land 
implies  sovereignty ;  not  domination  over  a 
crushed  people,  not  the  unbridled  license  of  one 
against  the  fettered  liberties  of  all  others,  but 
the  sovereignty  over  self,  the  freedom  of  un- 
trammelled utterance,  the  privilege  of  a  voice 
in  the  creation  of  the  laws  which  govern. 

The  political  condition  of  the  American 
citizen  is  anomalous,  in  the  present  condition 
of  the  world.  The  causes  that  make  it  thus  are 
written  in  our- revolution,  in  our  constitution, 
in  our  political  system.  And  because  it  is  ano- 
malous, because  the  American  citizen  is  the  sole 
representative  of  the  principle  of  self-govern- 
ment, because  to  his  care  history  has  bequeathed 
the  priceless  ideas  asserted  and  established  by 
patriots  at  Athens  and  at  Rome,  because  from 
buried  ages  comes  the  warning  voice  of  the 
Forum  and  the  ( lapitol,  because  humanity  sends 
from  the  old  world  its  wail  of  lamentation, 
should  each  citizen  feel  himself  the  exponent 


of  the  system  under  which  he  lives,  and  so  act 
by  voice  and  vote  as  to  strengthen  its  power 
for  good.  The  position  of  the  American  citizen, 
then,  is  one  of  great  responsibility.  A  Provi- 
dence in  history  has  made  him  a  prominent 
figure  in  the  world's  drama.  lie  is  looked  upon 
and  envied,  because  he  is  free.  He  possesses 
every  right  which  man  can  ask.  It  is  not  then 
merely  his  pleasure  to  enjoy  his  freedom  and 
his  rights,  but  his  duty  to  prove  them  worthy 
of  enjoyment  by  strengthening  and  defending 
them,  by  preserving  their  purity,  and  thus 
"ivimr  them  a  voice  of  moral  strength  which 
shall  speak  like  the  voice  of  prophecy  to  the 
nations  of  the  earth. 

Oh  the  responsibility  of  freedom  !  Do  the 
men  of  America  feel  it  ?  Do  they  properly  re- 
member, on  this  our  Nation's  great  festival,  the 
occasion  and  the  means  that  gave  it  birth  ?  Do 
they  remember  that  they  possess  their  liberty 
in  trust?  Do  they  remember  that  they  should 
render  it  with  increase  to  their  children  ?  Do 
they  bear  in  mind  that  the  magnitude  of  a 
blessing  is  a  measure  of  responsibility  ?  Let 
every  man  write  over  his  hearthstone,  "Where 
much  is  given,  much  will  be  required." 


—     8     — 

The  sovereignty  and  responsibility  of  Ame- 
rican citizenship  involve  the  performance  of 
many  duties.  In  what  spirit  do  we  perform 
them?  Is  it  with  the  purity  of  sentiment  and 
the  dignity  of  action  which  their  importance 
requires  ?  I  leave  the  answer  to  the  conscience 
of  each  citizen. 

When  the  voice  from  Faneuil  Hall  evoked 
from  the  bosom  of  the  times  the  effort  for  li- 
berty, and,  like  the  gushing  waters  which  fol- 
lowed the  rod  of  Israel's  leader,  it  poured  itself 
upon  the  land  ;  when  the  fathers,  after  solemn 
prayer,  made  that  declaration  which  is  as  im- 
mortal as  the  principle  which  it  asserts ;  when 
the  men  of  the  Revolution  had  driven  from  the 
desecrated  homes  and  ravaged  shores  of  the 
colonies  the  mercenary  instruments  of  British 
tyranny,  and  when  the  olive  branch  once  more 
blossomed,  and  the  Federal  Union,  supplanting 
the  alliance  of  the  colonies,  had  given  our  flag 
a  national  character,  the  duties  of  the  American 
citizen  received  their  inauguration,  the  orbit  of 
their  performance  was  designated.  The  work 
had  begun.  The  weary  warriors  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, the  statesmen  who  had  directed  and  sus- 
tained their  efforts,  were  approaching  the  hour 
appointed  for  all.  To  their  children  they  be- 


—     9     — 

queathed  their  swords  and  their  principles  : 
to  their  children  they  bequeathed  the  liberty 
they  had  gained,  spcured  by  an  entail  which 
reckless  folly  alone  can  break.  In  their  wisdom 
and  in  their  great  love  for  that  liberty,  they 
placed  the  responsibility  for  its  preservation 
upon  each  citizen.  Upon  each  citizen  that  re- 
sponsibility remains  :  its  binding  force  grows 
stronger  with  time.  Each  year  develops  the 
resources  of  our  continent  ;  each  clay  adds  to 
the  number  of  our  people,  and  each  moment 
records  our  national  sins  for  their  final  punish- 
ment. Every  man  knows  that  the  wisdom  of 
our  ancestors  placed  in  our  hands  the  means  of 
redressing  political  wrongs.  It  is  a  privilege  to 
be  exercised  with  care,  but  fearlessly.  It  is  a 
weapon  against  wrong,  only  while  its  purity  is 
preserved.  It  is  a  trenchant  blade  whose  polish 
and  edge  are  so  brilliant  and  keen,  that  while 
in  honest  hands  it  will  hew  down  the  mightiest 
iniquity,  it  will  tarnish  and  grow  dull  if  it  be 
wielded  in  the  service  of  corruption. 

This  privilege  is  the  Elective  Franchise,  the 

proper  exercise  of  which  is  the  first  political 

duty  of  the  citizen.  That  it  has  been  shamefully 

abused,  has  been  made  time  and  again  to  sub- 

2 


—     10     — 

serve  dishonest  purposes,  has  been  employed  to 
subvert  the  constitutional  sovereignty  of  the 
people,  has  been  in  some  localities  so  degraded 
that  men  of  pure  and  honest  sentiment  have 
pronounced  it  a  failure,  is,  alas,  too  true.  But 
the  fact  that  this  abuse  exists,  furnishes  the 
strongest  motive  for  those  who  love  their  coun- 
try to  rally  to  its  rescue.  There  are  honest  men 
who  do  not  vote,  because  the  ballot-box  has 
been  corrupted.  Are  they  guiltless  ?  Do  they 
not,  by  refusing  to  exercise  a  right,  commit  a 
great  wrong,  as  well  as  those  who  pervert  it  to 
dishonest  purposes  ? 

My  Countrymen,  the  destinies  of  this  nation 
are  in  the  ballot-box.  He-  who  does  not  vote, 
and  he  who  votes  corruptly,  are  alike  guilty. 
Let  those  who  lament  the  misuse  of  the  elective 
franchise,  yet  do  not  attempt  to  preserve  its 
standard,  remember  that  it  furnishes  its  own 
correction.  The  people  are  honest,  and  it  has 
ever  been  found  that  the  corrupt  are  a  minority. 
Never  has  there  been  a  period  in  our  history, 
when  it  was  more  essential  for  the  people  to 
vindicate  their  honesty,  than  at  the  present. 
A  disposition  has  been  manifested  to  sully  the 
purity  of  our  dearest  rights.  The  unclean  hand 


—   11   — 

of  corruption  has  reared  an  altar  for  its  wor- 
shippers in  the  temple  of  our  liberties;  the 
venders  of  political  wares  have  made  its  holiest 
sanctuary  their  market-place.  Let  the  people 
drive  out  the  money-changers ;  drive  them  out 
by  the  force  of  honest  votes ;  drive  them  out, 
by  performing  the  duties  of  citizens.  Thus  shall 
the  glorious  covenant  with  freedom,  ratified  by 
our  fathers,  not  be  broken.  Shrink  not  from  the 
duty  of  the  elective  franchise,  if  you  would 
preserve,  in  their  primal  strength  and  beauty, 
the  cardinal  principles  of  our  system.  But  if 
citizens  allow  business  or  pleasure  to  absorb  the 
single  hour  their  country  asks  them  to  give  to 
her  service ;  if  they  bewail  corruption,  without 
arresting  its  progress,  they  need  utter  no  com- 
plaint if  it  blasts  the  purity  and  truth  of  the 
people,  and  renders  our  national  character  a 
byword  and  a  reproach  ;  a  lie  against  freedom, 
a  libel  upon  humanity. 

The  neglect  of  this  primal  duty  has  led,  in 
various  portions  of  our  land,  to  confusion  and 
anarchy.  Because  honest  citizens  have  neglected 
to  perform  their  duties,  political  corruption  has 
accomplished  the  vilest  purposes ;  and  so  po- 
werful in  their  misuse  of  the  ballot-box  had 
the  miscreants  who  corrupted  its  purity  become, 


—     12     — 

that  revolution  was  the  only  means  bj~  which 
they  could  be  ousted  from  their  usurpation. 
But  it  is  a  dangerous  experiment.  Our  system 
contains  its  own  correction,  if  the  citizen  will 
apply  it  in  time.  Vigilance  committees  were 
never  contemplated  by  the  Constitution ;  but 
every  citizen  is  exhorted,  by  the  spirit  of  that 
instrument,  to  exercise  that  true  vigilance 
which  will  destroy  an  evil  before  it  can  mature, 
and  guard  our  liberty  against  the  insidious  wiles 
of  the  serpents  it  has  nourished  by  its  warmth. 

There  are  other  duties  of  action  and  of  speech, 
whose  proper  fulfilment  should  ever  be  opera- 
tive upon  the  American  citizen ;  but  they  are 
all  intimately  connected  with  his  duties  at  the 
ballot-box.  They  must  be  manfully  performed, 
to  render  us  .  the  efficient  champions  of  the 
liberties  we  enjoy. 

The  future  contains  the  elements  of  disorga- 
nization. There  is  to  be  a  terrible  reckoning  in 
the  old  world,  between  the  peoj)le  and  their 
rulers.  Liberty  and  despotism  are  preparing  for 
their  final  conflict,  and  Liberty  looks  through 
the  gloom  to  us  for  a  ray  of  hope  to  cheer  her 
in  the  battle. 

Upon  the  plains  of  Italy,  the  battle-smoke 
wreathes  upwards  from  the  initial  conflicts  of  a 


—     13     — 

struggle,  which,  to  my  mind,  presages  the  final 
liberty  of  Europe ;  but  it  will  be  an  ordeal  of 
fire  and  blood.  The  conservative  influences 
which  have,  for  selfish  purposes,  evoked  the 
demon  of  war,  have  also  aroused  a  spirit  in  the 
people  which  cannot  be  propitiated  or  allayed. 

Are  we  to  remain  silent  spectators  of  the 
scene  ?  Time  alone  will  disclose  our  part.  But 
in  view  of  our  position  as  a  nation,  representing 
that  principle  of  government  for  which  the 
earnest  souls  of  Europe  pant  as  "  the  hart  for 
the  water-brooks ;"  in  view  of  the  fact,  written 
unmistakably  in  history,  that  Providence  has 
assigned  to  us  the  solution  of  the  great  problem 
of  our  race,  the  capacity  of  man  for  self- 
government,  it  behoves  us  to  preserve  from 
taint  our  institutions,  and  to  make  our  nationa- 
lity so  conspicuous  in  all  true  and  manly  re- 
quisites, that  it  may  be  a  beacon  whose  rays 
shall  ever  shine  with  an  undimmed  and  certain 
lustre. 

And  is  the  future  without  its  dangers  to  our- 
selves ?  Is  our  isolated  position  to  protect  us 
from  collision  with  the  mighty  powers  beyond 
the  Atlantic  ?  God  grant  it  may.  But  with  our 
growth  as  a  nation,  our  interests  have  propor- 
tionately   extended.    We    are    threatening    to 


—     14     — 

overshadow  the  continent.  Our  relations  with 
the  South-American  States  that  are  now  in- 
volved in  civil  war,  may  force  us  to  assert  the 
superior  right  of  a  progressive  civilization  to 
the  control  of  a  land  upon  which  nature  has 
heaped  every  blessing,  over  the  misrule  of  semi- 
barbarous  governments,  which,  in  the  name  of 
liberty,  trample  upon  humanity  and  law,  and 
employ  the  superstitions  of  a  degraded  church 
to  debase  the  intellect  of  the  people. 

But  such  a  step  on  our  part  would  arouse  the 
watchful  jealousy  of  foreign  powers.  If  they 
should  deny  our  right,  as  the  leading  govern- 
ment of  the  continent,  to  arrange,  supervise  and 
control,  for  the  protection  of  our  citizens  and 
the  furtherance  of  our  commercial  interests,  the 
disordered  affairs  of  our  sister  republics,  war 
would  be  the  melancholy  but  inevitable  result. 
Are  we  prepared  for  such  a  struggle  ?  Would 
the  men  of  '59  breathe  the  patriotism  of  '76  ? 
"Would  the  spirit  of  Lexington  again  animate 
the  citizens  ?  Would  our  batteries  awake  the 
echoes  of  Chippewa  and  Lundy's  Lane  ?  I  pause 
not  for  an  answer.  A  patriotism  as  pure  and 
devoted  as  that  of  the  Revolution  would  be 
exhibited  :  there  would  be  but  one  cry,  "  To 


—     15     — 

arms ;"  but  one  spirit,  Dulce  et  decorum  est  pro 
patria  mori. 

But  the  patriotism  which  would  rally  the 
people  about  the  national  standard,  the  spirit 
which  would  animate  the  battle-field,  must 
spring  from  the  consciousness  of  an  honest  per- 
formance of  the  manifold  duties  of  citizenship. 
That  alone  can  nerve  the  arm  to  strike  right- 
handed  blows  for  country,  home,  and  altar. 

The  citizen  who  perforins  his  duties  is  en- 
titled to  reward.  Grecian  and  Roman  antiquity 
decreed  triumphal  processions,  wreaths  and 
crowns,  to  him  who  on  the  battle-field  or  in  the 
senate  had  served  his  country.  The  reward  of 
the  American  citizen  is  the  satisfaction  of  pro- 
moting the  great  cause  of  human  freedom. 

The  liberty  of  the  ancient  republics  was  re- 
strictive :  ours  is  as  expansive  as  the  universe  ; 
its  pulsations  beat  time  to  the  march  of  the  age, 
and  throb  with  the  heart  of  humanity.  The 
lands  conquered  by  our  arms  are  blessed  with 
our  institutions.  The  presence  of  our  flag  gua- 
rantees the  privileges  of  the  Constitution.  We 
annex,  not  alone  to  impose  our  civilization,  but 
to  confer  our  liberty.  With  what  pride  should 
the  American  citizen  contemplate  the  progress 
of  his  land !    What    nobler    reward    for    duty 


—     16     — 

performed  can  he  ask,  than  to  feel  that  the  pro- 
sperity of  this  great  nation  has  been  entrusted 
to  li i  111,  and  that  he  has  fulfilled  the  trust? 

Every  true  citizen  has  a  right  so  to  feel.  He 
has  filled  his  sphere  :  he  has  given  an  example 
to  the  timid  ;  has  been  a  reproach  to  the  cor- 
rupt. He  has  assisted  in  accomplishing  the  pur- 
poses of  another  cycle  of  time,  as  it  rolled  on 
to  its  eternal  judgment.  What,  in  comparison, 
are  crowns  and  wreaths?  What,  to  the  satisfac- 
tion of  a  great  political  duty  performed,  is  a 
triumphal  procession  with  its  train  of  languid 
slaves,  its  neighing  steeds,  its  glittering  display 
of   beauty,  arms,  treasure! 

If  the  citizen  will  look. over  the  vast  expanse 
of  the  continent,  and,  seeing  everywhere  the 
evidences  of  a  high  civilization,  will  remember 
that  it  is  the  growth  of  years,  not  of  centuries  ; 
will  recal  the  fact  that  this  wonderful  develop- 
ment is  due  to  the  application  of  a  single  prin- 
ciple, the  right  and  the  abil  i  ty  of  man  to  govern 
himself;  and  will  learn,  from  the  Constitution 
under  which  he  lives,  that  to  his  care  is  en- 
trusted that  principle,  his  manhood  must  be 
aroused  to  meet  and  assist  the  great  necessities 
of  the  times. 


—    17    — 

The  crowded  marts  of  commerce,  the  teeming 
cities,  the  plain  and  hill-side  blooming  under 
the  skilful  hand  of  man,  the  white  sails  dotting 
every  lake  and  river,  the  energy  that  moves  in 
every  enterprize,  speak  to  him  with  an  eloquence 
and  poetry  so  grand,  so  beautiful,  so  true,  that 
he  must  respond  in  the  performance  of  those 
acts  which  will  sustain  these  efforts  of  the  age, 
and  keep  in  motion  that  high  principle  of  pro- 
gress which,  on  our  shores,  has  found  a  develop- 
ment to  cease  only  with  time.  Do  we  appreciate 
the  position,  perform  the  duties,  enjoy  the  re- 
wards ?  Do  we,  possessing  the  fullest  liberty, 
know  what  it  is  to  be  free  ?  Do  we  comprehend 
that  the  United  States  has  established  another 
fact  in  history,  that  republican  liberty  is  com- 
patible with  good  government  ?  Ask  the  victim 
of  Austrian  persecution,  what  is  liberty :  of  the 
martyrs  to  Napoleon's  despotism  on  the  pesti- 
lential shores  of  Cayenne,  ask  what  is  liberty : 
open  the  dungeons  of  the  Neapolitan  monster, 
and  ask  the  noble  souls  there  lingering  in  pain, 
what  is  liberty ;  and  they  will  answer  you  by 
pointing  to  America.  In  our  Revolution,  they 
recognized  the  success  of  the  principle.  They 
sought  to  achieve  it  for  themselves,  in  the  very 
3 


—     18     — 

efforts  which  have  consigned  them  to  the  dun- 
geon or  to  exile.  Should  not  we  who  enjoy  the 
blessing,  appreciate  it  as  fully  as  those  who  can 
only  sigh  for  it  ?  Should  not  their  efforts  to 
obtain  it,  make  us  all  the  more  jealous  of  its 
care? 

In  the  faithful  performance  of  our  duties,  we 
discharge  an  obligation  due  to  humanity.  We 
are  entrusted  with  a  principle,  whose  preserva- 
tion should  be  as  dear  to  us  as  life  and  honor. 
When  the  Fathers  announced  it,  they  pledged 
to  its  success  "  their  lives,  their  fortunes,  and 
their  sacred  honor."  That  pledge  was  redeemed; 
the  principle  triumphed,  and  we  to-day  are 
living  witnesses  of  their' devotion.  From  this 
we  learn  to  value  our  inheritance,  and  to  per- 
form the  conditions  upon  which  it  is  ours.  When 
we  forget  by  what  tenure  we  hold  this  inheri- 
tance, we  pronounce  our  own  sentence  of  de- 
privation. But  can  it  be  that  we  shall  ever 
forget  ?  Is  the  victory  of  the  Revolution  to  be 
sacrificed  ?  Is  the  spirit  of  the  Constitution  to 
be  thwarted  ?  Are  the  glorious  results  of  more 
than  eighty  years  of  freedom  to  be  nullified  ? 
What  say  the  men  of  America  ?  Shall  it  be 
written  in  history  that  the  last  experiment  of 
freedom  failed,  because  the  citizens  of  the  re- 


—     19     — 

public  forgot  their  duties  ?  It  is  not  because  we 
are  prosperous,  not  because  our  growth  has  no 
parallel  in  the  experience  of  centuries,  not  be- 
cause our  strength  is  greater  than  at  any  other 
period,  that  we  are  to  defy  the  possibility  of 
national  ruin.  It  is  for  these  very  reasons  that  we 
are  to  guard  more  jealously  than  ever  the  bul- 
warks of  our  strength ;  that  we  are  to  avoid  the 
false  expediences  that  usurp  the  place  of  princi- 
ple; that  we  are  to  inculcate  the  elemental  truths 
upon  which  our  government  is  based,  and  upon 
whose  preservation  depends  our  perpetuity  as 
a  union. 

Let  us  not  boast  of  our  strength.  It  is  in  the 
hour  of  success  that  the  germ  of  decay  is  un- 
folded. It  is  in  the  day  of  prosperity  that  we 
should  cling  most  firmly  to  that  truth  and  virtue 
which  sustained  our  patriot  fathers,  and  made 
us  free. 

Men  of  America !  Forget  not  your  trust. 
Liberty,  battling  everywhere  with  oppression, 
looks  to  you  as  her  standard-bearers.  See  to  it 
that  no  stain  sullies  the  stars  and  stripes.  See 
to  it  that  the  glorious  emblem  of  our  freedom 
waves  ever  from  our  shores,  the  signal  of  rescue 
and  assistance  to  oppressed  humanity.  The 
genius  of  our  institutions,  in  the  name  of  that 


—     20     — 

spirit  of  universal  freedom  before  whose  resist- 
less presence  the  shackles  of  the  slave  fall  off, 
and  the  man  arises  in  the  dignity  of  his  nature, 
charges  you  to  think  of  your  privileges  and  your 
duties ;  to  remember  that  Providence  permitted 
you  to  exist  as  representatives  of  those  great 
ideas  which  will  one  day  vindicate  their  truth 
to  the  nations  of  the  earth ;  to  remember  that 
your  duty  is  to  give  these  ideas  that  expansion 
and  direction  which  their  importance  claims ; 
to  remember  that  liberty  is  unselfish,  confined 
to  no  land,  but  belongs  as  a  God-given  right  to 
every  man  that  breathes ;  to  remember,  above 
all  else,  that,  possessing  liberty,  it  is  your  duty 
to  protect  it  from  the  degrading  contact  with 
corruption  at  home,  as  well  as  against  the  at- 
tack of  enemies  from  abroad.  Make  it  a  bright 
and  burning  light,  an  example  to  the  nations, 
a  reproach  to  despotism,  an  incentive  to  arouse 
the  oppressed  to  vindicate  their  humanity. 

And  when,  my  countrymen,  you  have  ac- 
complished all  this,  you  can  claim,  with  just 
pride,  descent  from  those  patriot  fathers  whose 
lives  were  spent  in  stern  conflict  for  great  prin- 
ciples, whose  deaths  were  blessed  by  the  sweet 
consciousness  of  duty  well  performed.  Then 
can  you  claim  as  your  countryman,  him  whose 


—     21     — 

name,  luminous  with  the  glory  of  the  noblest 
life  which  history  records,  is  written  in  the 
heart  of  humanity,  as  before  all  others  her 
chosen  champion ;  whose  pure  and  devoted 
patriotism  is  the  corner-stone  of  our  liberties. 
Citizens,  on  this  day  renew  your  vows  to 
your  common  country.  Swear,  at  her  altar,  that 
no  defection  of  yours  shall  cause  her  to  swerve 
from  the  path  of  right.  Swear  that  the  holy 
flame  of  patriotism  shall  burn 

"  Unquenched  through  ages, 

Like  Vesta's   sacred    fire." 

Make  your  standard  of  political  excellence  the 
faithful  performance  of  your  duties,  and  you 
secure  to  yourselves  and  your  posterity  the 
enjoyment  of  a  freedom  which  will  be  purified 
and  exalted  with  time. 


The  following  poem  and  letter  are  introduced  here 
as  an  appropriate  accompaniment  to  the  preceding- 
address. 


ELEGY. 


0  friend  of  other  days  ! 

So  early  fallen  in  thy  manly  prime  ! 
In  vain  alike  our  grief,  our  praise  — 

Another  victim  of  the  traitor's  crime. 

Was  it  for  this  ?  —  the  toil  of  studious  years  — 
That  Spartan  training  for  the  Forum's  strife  ; 

Was  it  for  this,  that  first  among  thy  peers, 
We  saw  thee  move  with  splendor  into  life  ? 

All  had  been  lost,  but  that  true  hearts  like  thine, 
When  "shrieked  the  timid  and  stood  still  the  brave," 

Strove  to  arrest  the  nation's  swift  decline 
To  an  untimely,  an  ignoble  grave. 


I  would  not  look  upon  thee,  dead. 

Well  memory  holds  the  living  form, 
That,  when  our  last  farewell  was  said, 

Vanished  in  darkness  and  in  storm.* 

0  grave  !  there  comes  a  princely  g"uest ! 

Within  thy  chambers  dim  and  cold, 
Where  sleep  the  brave,  there  give  him  rest, 

With  heroes  of  the  Days  of  Old. 

No  more  I  hear  that  martial  tone 

Ring  boldly  (nit  on  Freedom's  side: 
There  arc,  whose  words  arc  words  alone  ; 

But  thou  in  Freedom's  cause  hast  died. 

0.  B.  HITCHCOCK,  Class  of  '52. 

•At  our  Class  Meeting  in  '55,  the  late  Col.  Jackson  was  present  by  invitation. 
We  separated  at  a  late  hour. 


LETTER. 


Windham  Centre,  February  21.  '<& 
Professor  Jackson  : 

I  THAHK  you  for  the  kind  expressions  of  your  letter  in  reference  to 

my  slight  tribute  to  the  memory  of  the  late  Col.  Jackson,  your  son, 

and  my  friend  in  college  days. 

Except  the  meeting  mentioned  in  the  note  to  the  fourth  stanza,  I 
have  not  seen  William  since  leaving  college.  His  presence  at  our 
class-meeting  was  almost  a  thing  of  course.  He  always  seemed  to 
belong  with  us  as  much  as  to  his  own  class;  for  he  had  many  friends, 
many  society  and  personal  associates  among  us:  He  was  quick  to. 
discern  character;  nor  did  class  or  society  connections,  those  barriers 
to  common  minds,  oppose  any  obstacle  to  his  search  for  intellectual 
fellowship  and  social  intercourse. 

On  my  way  to  the  West,  July  3d,  '59,  I  must  have  passed  without 
seeing  William.  He  was  to  deliver  the  anniversary  oration  on  the 
next  day  in  this  place.  The  compact  and  classical  oration  was  pu- 
blished,* a  copy  reaching  me  in  the  Mississippi  valley.  Well  do  I 
remember  that  afternoon  of  mingled  reading  and  reverie  out  upon 
the  prairie.  The  identity  of  the  favorite  speaker  of  the  Philomathean 
was  preserved  in  it  :  that  the  flower,  this  the  fruit.  The  rhetoric  of 
the  collegian  was  condensing  into  the  ethics  of  the  statesman. 

It  would  be  difficult  for  me  to  recall  another  scholar  of  aspiring 
mind,  so  generous  in  his  estimate  of  others,  so  exacting  towards 
himself.  His  singular  beauty  of  person  was  in  harmony  with  the 
structure  of  his  intellect,  elegant  without  effeminacy,  graceful  yet 
full  of  strength.  His  habits  of  conversation  did  not  tend  to  idle  talk, 
but  he  touched  at  once  some  point  of  philosophy  or  criticism,  working 
habitually  in  lines  of  thought  which  others  traversed  only  at  set  times 
and  after  special  preparation.   His  fine  critical  acumen  I  have  had 

*  It  was  published  in  the  newspaper  issued  at  Windham  Centre.  No  copy  of  this 
discourse  was  found  among  the  papers  of  Col.  Jackson;  and  for  its  preservation, 
his  friends  are  indebted  to  the  writer  of  the  above  article. 


—     24     — 

occasion  to  verify  in  subsequent  studies  :  the  sententious  and  just 
synthesis  was  not  easily  forgotten.  Guarding  himself  from  the  al- 
lurement of  literary  embellishment  by  a  patient  study  of  the  great 
masters  in  history  and  ethics,  it  was  evident  that  his  eye  was  upon 
the  future,  with  wise  forecast  anticipating  the  need  of  discipline  and 
accepting  the  established  conditions  of  success. 

It  seems  as  yesterday  that  we  walked  in  the  garden,  discussing  the 
problems  of  life  and  history;  joined  in  the  debates;  read  or  listened 
to  the  appointed  essay.  It  seems  but -yesterday  that  he  stood  in  his 
accustomed  place,  his  eye  s'ltfused  with  inward  fire,  his  voice  rich  and 
full  of  melody,  his  manner  working  upon  all  with  a  subtle  pervading 
power,  and  eye  and  tone,  gesture  and  presence,  form  and  spirit,  so 
wrought  and  attuned,  so  moulded  and  moved,  so  fashioned  and  in- 
formed with  a  vivid  intelligence,  that  the  mind's  ideal  was  satisfied 
when  William  Jackson  entered  with  his  whole  strength  into  a  con- 
tested and  prolonged  debate. 

Yesterday  !  a  decade  has  passed  !  Duty  took  from  his  hand  the 
pen,  and  replaced  it  with  a  sword,  saying:  Go,  serve  your  country. 
It  is  the  law  of  sacrifice.  The  unblemished  is  for  the  altar.  Friendship 
mourns;  a  light  has  gone  out  in  your  dwelling,  that  no  power  shall 
ever  relume;  but  the  great  cause  for  which  he  died  invests  with  its 
own  sacredness  his  niemory.  The  light  which  is  piercing  our  gloom, 
and  which  we  trust  shall  fill  all  our  sky,  will  shed  upon  the  grave  of 
your  fallen  son  its  own  imperishable  glory. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

0.  B.  HITCHCOCK. 


DOCUMENTS 


RELATIVE    TO   AN 


ATTACK  UPON  THE  CHARACTER 


OF   THE    LATE 


COL.   TO   A.   JACKSON. 


Ox  the  1st  of  April,  1862,  the  Select  Committee  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State 
of  New  York,  on  State  Military  Contracts,  made  a  report.  In  this  report  is  an 
assault  upon  the  character  of  the  late  Col.  Wm.  A.  Jackson.  The  charge  against 
him  is,  that  he  used  his  official  influence  to  procure  for  Brooks  Brothers,  of  the  city 
of  New  York,  a  contract  for  army  clothing,  and  that  as  the  reward  of  his  services  he 
received  from  them  a  suit  or  suits  of  uniform.  The  evidence  of  several  persons  is 
given  to  show  that  "  he  was,"  in  the  language  of  the  report,  "  the  most  active  man  in 
arranging  the  details  and  modifications  of  the  contract  as  it  was  finally  agreed 
upon";  and  the  fact  of  the  "valuable  consideration"  is  attempted  to  be  established 
by  the  testimony  of  Daniel  Wormer.  The  testimony  of  Wormer,  in  full,  is  as  fol- 
lows : — 

"  Daniel  Wormer.  Q. — Were  you  in  Albany  at  the  time  the  Brooks'  contract 
was  given  out  ? 

A. — Yes,  sir. 

Q. — Did  you  see  Robert  Freeman  here  ?* 

A. — Yes,  sir. 

Q. — How  long  before  the  bids  were  opened  did  you  see  Freeman  here? 

A. — I  saw  him  here  several  times. 

Q. — Did  you  have  any  conversation  with  him  about  that  contract  before  it  was 
awarded  ? 

A. — Yes,  sir. 

*  Freeman  was  the  agent  for  Brooks  Brothers. 


Q. — Did   you  understand  from  him  that  he  knew  such  a  contract  was  to  be 
awarded  ? 
.    A. — Yes,  sir,  and  talked  with  him  about  that  contract. 

Q. — Give  us,  as  near  as  you  can,  the  impression  he  left  upon  your  mind  as  to  the 
time  and  manner  in  which  that  contract  was  to  be  awarded '? 

A. — I  can  tell  you  how  he  worked  that  contract  through ;  he  got  it  through  Jackson. 

Q. — What  do  you  mean  to  be  understood  as  meaning  by  that? 

A. — I  saw  him,  '  Freeman,'  and  Jackson  talking  it  over ;  I  know  there  were 
some  suits  of  clothing  given. 

Q.— To  whom  ? 

A. — To  Jackson. 

Q. — Do  you  know  that  suits  of  clothes  were  given  to  other  parties  ? 

A. — No,  sir ;  it  was  all  worked  through  Jackson. 

Q. — Was  Freeman  with  Jackson  here  ? 

A. — All  the  time. 

Q. — Was  he  at  his  house  ? 

A. — Yes,  sir. 

Q. — Did  you  see  Freeman  in  Albany  on  Friday  or  Saturday,  previous  to  the  let- 
ting of  the  contract  ? 

A. — I  guess  I  did,  for  he  was  here  up  and  down. 

Q. — Did  he  give  you  to  understand  that  he  was  to  get  the  contract  ? 

A. — Yes,  sir. 

Q. — And  it  was  to  be  let  on  the  following  Tuesday  ? 

A. — Yes,  sir. 

Q. — Did  he  express  himself  in  positive  terms  that  he  was  to  get  the  contract? 

A. — Yes,  sir,  he  knew  he  would  ;  my  mind  was  made  up  that  he  would  ;  I  knew 
what  they  were  doing ;  I  knew  how  he  was  fixing  it  with  Jackson. 

Q. — Did  you  ever  understand  that  Mr.  Freeman  or  the  Brooks  Brothers  had 
made  presents  of  money  or  goods,  or  any  other  valuable  consideration,  to  any  par- 
ties ? 

A. — No  more  than  I  was  in  Jackson's  office  one  day ;  he  had  got  some  clothes  of 
Freeman;  says  I,  'Jack,  you  are  one  of  them — how  long  will  he  keep  you  in  clothes 
for  that  contract  ?' 

Q.— What  did  he  say  in  reply  to  that  ? 

A. — Nothing. 

Q. — Was  that  before  the  bids  were  opened  ? 

A. — I  guess  it  was  afterwards. 

Q. — A  suit  of  regimentals  ? 

A. — I  believe  he  got  them  afterwards ;  I  saw  him,  Freeman,  take  the  measure 
for  a  suit  in  Jackson's  office ;  this  other  suit  I  refer  to  was  an  undress  military.  I 
guess  they  fixed  that  up  pretty  well  between  them.'' 

This  evidence  is  immediately  succeeded  iu  the  report  by  the  following  comment : 

"  Whatever  doubt  may  have  existed  as  to  there  having  been  a  perfect  understand- 
ing between  Mr.  Freeman  and  Inspector-General  Jackson,  the  authorized  agent  of 
the  State  Military  Board,  whereby  he  had  early  information  as  to  their  future 
action,  must  be  entirely  removed  by  the  testimony  of  these  witnesses,  and  particu- 
larly that  of  Daniel  Wormer,  a  contractor  by  profession,  and  one  not  likely  to  mis- 
understand the  details  and  necessities  of  a  profession  in  which  his  own  testimony, 
unwillingly  given,  proves  him  to  have  been  an  expert." 

The  conclusion  at  which  the  Committee  arrive,  in  relation  to  Col.  Jackson,  is  as 
follows : 

"  Col.  Wm.  A.Jackson,  one  of  the  prominent  actors  in  this  affair,  has  gone  to  his 
long  home.    Whatever  of  wrong  he  might  have  been  held  responsible  for  if  living, 


mny  be  forgiven  and  forgotten  out  of  respect  for  the  memory  of  a  soldier  who  laid 
down  his  life  in  the  service  of  his  country.  That  as  a  public  officer,  he  was  too 
warmly  interested  in  behalf  of  Brooks  Brothers — perhaps  more  on  account  of  old 
friendship  for  Mr.  Freeman — is  apparent  enough.  Standing  before  a  higher  tribunal, 
to  be  judged  more  impartially  and  charitably  than  here,  it  is  far  better  to  attri- 
bute his  partiality  to  an  error  of  the  heart,  in  a  brave  soldier  and  warm  friend." 

The  members  of  the  Committee  were  Edgar  MoMullen  (chairman),  Benjamin  R. 
Wells,  Geo.  W.  Hazelton,  AndrewvJ.  Provost,  Nelson  K.  Wheeler.  The  report 
was  signed  by  all  except  Mr.  Wheeler. 

On  the  17th  of  April,  Mr.  Wheeler  presented  a  minority  report,  the  whole  of 
which  is  herein  given.     The  part  which  relates  to  Col.  Jackson  is  on  the  Wth  j»i<ji  . 

On  the  21st  of  April,  a  report,  supplementary  to  the  majority  report,  was  made 
by  Mr.  McMullen,  in  which  the  charge  against  Col.  Jackson  is  withdrawn.  This 
report  is  also  given  in  full. 

Subjoined  are  extracts  from  the  report  of  the  "  Military  Board,"  in  which  par- 
ticular attention  is  requested  to  the  evidence  of  Gen.  Anthon. 

No  breath  of  injurious  suspicion  should  be  suffered  to  rest  on  the  memory  of  the 
dead  when  it  can  be  wiped  away.  With  a  strong  feeling  of  this  truth,  this  pam- 
phlet has  been  prepared.  It  contains,  it  is  believed,  a  perfect  vindication  of  the 
assailed;  and  it  is  respectfully  requested  that  it  be  not  treated  as  such  things 
usually  are,  thrown  aside  and  neglected,  but  that  those  parts  of  it,  at  least,  which 
relate  to  Col.  Jackson  be  read,  ami  that  it  be  preserved. 

Schenectady,  April  28,  1862.  I.  W.  JACKSON. 


Report  of  the  Minority  of  the  Select  Committee  to  Investigate 
the  Transactions  of  the  State  Military  Board. 


In  the  Assembly,  April  17,  1862.  time.     The  sum  of  §3,000,000  was  appropriated 

Mr.  WHEELER,  from  the  Select  Committee,   \  ty  the  same  act  to  defray  the  expenses  of  its  re- 


presented the  following 

REPORT : 
The  undersigned,   one   of  the  committee  to 


qmremeDts. 

In  investigating  the  transactions  of  the  Mili- 
tary Board  while  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties 
conferred  upon  them  by  the  above  act,  the  com- 
mittee  have  devoted  much  time  and  attention 


whom  was  referred  so  much  of  the   Governors  and  taken  an  immense  amount  of  testimony,  but 

message   as   relates   to  the  transactions   of  the  the   undersigned  regrets  that  he   was  unable  t 

State    .Military  Board,   established  under   "  Au  agree  with   the  committee  in   every   respec^g 

act  to  authorize  the  embodying  and  equipment  of  reference  to  the  manner  of  conducting  *icates 

a  Volunteer  Militia,  and  to  provide  for  the  Public  vestigation  or  to  concur  in  their  report,     j  boxes 
Defense,  paused  April  16,  1861,"  with  power   to  After  a  few  of  the  first  sessions  of  the 

send  for  persons  and  papers,  presents  the  follow-  tee,  it  became  apparent  to  the  uuders'nd  of  the 

ing  minority  report :  the  energy  and  zeal  of  the  chairman  >e  that  they 

That  said  Military  Board  was,  by  the  above  charge  on  his   part  all  the  dutie^ood  quality  as 

act,  composed  of  the  Governor,  Lieutenant-Gov-  him   by  the  resolution  of  the  undisputed  "fact 

ernor,  Seoretary  of  State,  Comptroller,  Attorney-  which  the  committtee  was  jg  the  matter  with 

General,  State  Engineer  and  Surveyor,  and  State  elicit  all  the  testimony  that  .ed  2,350  additional 

Treasurer,   and   they  were  authorized  to   enroll  against  anybody,  and  that  I J  made,  worth  some 

and  muster  iuto  service  30,000  men   in  addition  such  a  thorough  investigat 
to  the  military  organization  of  the  State  at  that  |  fault  or  error  on  the  part  yarded  as  satisfactory  by 


and  as  he  had  made  himself  acquainted  with  all 
the  charges  that  rumor  bad  preferred  not  only 
against  the  Board,  but  against  every  person  who 
in  any  way  had  or  attempted  to  have  transac- 
tions with  them,  the  other  members  of  the  com- 
mittee, and  especially  the  undersigned,  permitted 
the  investigations,  and  especially  the  summon- 
ing and  examining  of  witnesses  to  bo  conducted 
mainly  by  him.  A  reference  to  the  large  volume 
of  testimony  taken,  the  number  of  witnesses 
sworn,  and  the  searching  interrogatories  put  to 
each,  will  satisfy  any  one  that  the  investigation 
as  agai>ist  the  Board  and  many  others,  has  been 
peculiarly  and  eminently  thorough. 

As  an  evidence  of  the  disposition  on  the  part 
of  the  chairman  not  to  cover  up  any  of  the 
transactions  of  the  Board,  the  undersigned  begs 
leave  to  state  that  much  of  the  report,  of  which 
the  one  signed  by  the  majority  of  the  committee 
is  tho  residuum,  was  drawn  by  him  before  the 
members  of  the  Military  Board  had  been  called 
before  the  committee  to  testify  or  explain  in  any 
way  the  charges  preferred  against  them. 

It  has  been  essentially  modified  since  it  was 
first  drawn,  yet  the  undersigned  is  of  opinion 
that  it  is  still  unjust  towards  the  Military  Board, 
whose  transactions  and  only  whose  transactions 
we  were  authorized  to  investigate. 

In  regard  to  the  Brooks'  Brothers  contract, 
the  undersigned  dissents  from  the  general  tone 
and  apparent  conclusions  from  the  evidence  as 
set  forth  in  the  majority  report. 

The  undisputed  facts  in  reference  to  this  trans- 
action are  substantially  as  follows  : 

On  the  16th  of  April,  the  law  creating  the 
Military  Board  was  passed.  On  the  evening  of 
the  same  day  they  convened,  and,  among  other 
things,  resolved  to  raise  seventeen  regiments. 
On  the  17th,  they  again  convened,  and  after  oth- 
er business,  conferred  upon  the  Governor,  by 
resolutions,  large  executive  powers,  and  ad- 
journed "  to  meet  at  the  call  of  the  Governor." 
On  the  22d.  they  were  convoked  by  him,  and  in 
the  meantime  he  had  been  energetic  and  untir- 
ing in  the  extraordinary  duties  thus  devolved 
upon  him,  and  had  been  most  of  the  time  in 
New  York  sending  forward  the  militia  regiments 
for  the  immediate  protection  of  Washington. 
A  committee  of  military  officers,  consisting  of 
General  Jackson,  Colonel  Miller,  Major  Gates, 
and  Major  Talmadge,  to  make  a  report  on  the 
subject  of  uniforms,  was  appointed.  At  the 
meeting  of  the  Board  on  the  22d,  their  report 
was  presented  to  the  State  Military  Board,  which 
tjgted  :  "  The  cost  of  the  uniform   and  clothing 

.•be,  in  the  opinion  of  the  committee,  about 
actlOiTt,  may  somewhat  exceed  this  if  the  great 
larly  tLfor  <]ie  article  needed  creates  a  propor- 
undersUre  in  their  market  value."  They  also 
un,willino'lttueJ  had  ''  ordered  to  be  made  sam- 
&  '  ;acket,    trowsers    and   cap,   which 

The  COnclllS"  for   inspection   at  six   o'clock 

follows  :  ne  Board  then  took  steps  for 

1  arms,  equipments  ami  sup- 

"  Col.  Wm.  A.1-  paragraph  for  the  agent  of 

long  home.     Whac  as    fl>llows  :  "  reposals 

ediate  furnishing  oi    uni- 

2,000  New  York  volun- 


teers, to  be  made  at  the  capitol  on  the  23d  inst., 
at  1  o'clock,  p.  m.  Specifications  of  the  articles 
required  can  be  found  at  the  Quartermaster- 
General's  office  in  Albany."  At  the  same  meet- 
ing the  Board  resolved  to  raise  30,000  volun- 
teers. 

At  a  meeting  on  the  23d,  the  Governor,  Trea- 
surer and  State  Engineer,  were  appointed  to 
examine  the  bids  for  uniforms  and  award  the 
contracts  therefor. 

At  a  meeting  on  the  25th,  the  Treasurer  from 
the  committee  on  bids  reported,  among  other 
things,  that  "  The  contract  for  $12,000  uniforms, 
consisting  of  overcoat,  jacket  and  trowsers,  to  be 
made  according  to  the  samples  in  the  Quarter- 
Master  General's  office,  had  been  awarded  to 
Brooks'  Brothers,  at  $19.50  for  each  complete 
uniform,  the  uniforms  to  be  delivered  at  the  rate 
of  2,000  a  week."  And  at  the  same  meeting  the 
Treasurer  was  appointed  by  resolution  "  to  pro- 
ceed to  New  York,  there  to  confer  with  the 
Assistant  Quarter- Master,  General  Arthur,  and 
Major  Patrick,  in  regard  to  uniforms :  and 
also  that  he  be  a  committee,  in  conjunction  with 
the  Commissary-General,  to  open  and  award  the 
contracts  for  accoutrements  then  advertised  for." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  on  the  27th,  the 
Treasurer  reported  that  the  "  New  York  market 
could  not  supply  the  necessary  cloth  for  the 
12,000  uniforms  of  the  pattern  style,  that  he 
was  therefore,  after  due  consultation,  obliged  to 
substitute  another  style  of  cloth." 

The  oral  testimony  shows  that  the  facts  stated 
in  the  Treasurer's  report  were  true,  but  that  the 
Treasurer,  for  some  reason  unexplained,  did  not 
see,  or  at  least  did  not  confer  with  General  Ar- 
thur and  Major  Patrick,  in  New  York,  upon  the 
subject  of  the  uniforms,  but  after  he  had  ascer- 
tained, to  his  satisfaction,  that  a  sufficient  quan- 
tity of  the  sample  army  cloth  could  not  be  had  in 
market  to  supply  the  demand  for  uniforms, 
he  concluded  to  vary  the  contract  from  the 
terms  of  the  bid  made  by  Brooks'  Brothers,  and 
to  accept  from  them  for  a  large  portion  of  the 
uniforms,  cloth  of  which  they  furnished  samples 
differing  from  the  sample  army  cloth  upon  which 
their  bid  had  been  made. 

At  a  meeting  on  the  1st  of  May,  the  Treasurer 
presented  to  the  Board  the  contract  which  lie 
bad  made  with  Brooks'  Brothers,  executed  by 
him  on  behalf  of  the  State,  and  severally  execu- 
ted by  the  co-partners  under  soal,  which  con- 
tract provided,  among  other  things  : 

First.  That  the  said  parties  of  the  second  part, 
shall  furnish,  manufacture  and  deliver  at  such 
places  in  the  State  of  New  York  as  the  Qnarter- 
Master  General  of  said  State  shall  designate,  the 
following  articles  of  clothing,  at  the  times  and 
of  the  quality  and  description  hereinafter  desig- 
nated, namely,  twenty-six  hundred  dark  blue 
kersey  jackets,  indigo  blue,  and  all  wool,  of 
which  one  thousand  shall  be  furnished  on  or  be- 
fore May  4,  1861,  and  sixteen  hundred  thereof 
on  or  before  May  12,  1861,  of  which  said  blue 
kersey  a  Bample  i^  hereunto  attached,  marked 
"  Brooks'  Bioi hers,  Sample  No.  1."  Also  twenty- 
one  hundred  dark  blue  felt  jackets,  all  wool,  in- 
digo blue,  on  or  before  May  12th,  1861,  of  which 


said  felt  a  sample  is  hereunto  annexed,  marked 
"  Brooks'  Brothers,  Sample  No.  8."  Also  seven- 
ty-three hundred  grey  jackets  of  cadet  mixed 
satinet,  to  he  delivered,  one-half  thereof  May  4, 
1861,  and  one-half  thereof  May  12,  1861,  of 
which  said  grey  satinet  a  sample  is  hereunto  an- 
nexed, marked  ■*  Brooks'  Brothers,  Sample  No. 
3."  Also  one  thousand  dark  hlue  kersey  trow- 
sers,  indigo  blue,  all  wool,  to  he  delivered  May 
4,  1861,  and  fourteen  hundred  to  he  delivered 
May  12,  1861,  of  which  said  kersey  a  sample  is 
hereunto  annexed,  marked  "  Brooks'  Brothers, 
Sample  No.  1."  Also  two  thousand  four  hun- 
dred light  blue  army  kersey  trowsers,  indigo 
blue,  all  wool,  to  be  delivered  on  or  before  May 
18,  186 1 ,  of  which  said  kersey  a  sample  is  here- 
unto annexed,  marked  "  Brooks'  Brothers,  Sam- 
ple No.  7."  Also  seven  thousand  two  hundred 
grey  cadet  mixed  satinet  trowsers,  to  be  deliv- 
ered, one-third  May  12,  1861,  one-third  May  4, 
1861,  and  one-third  May  18,  1861,  of  which  said 
satinet  a  sample  is  hereunto  annexed,  marked 
"  Brooks'  Brothers,  Sample  No.  3."  Also  four 
thousand  brown  mixed  overcoats,  all  wooi,  to 
be  delivered,  fifteen  hundred  on  the  4th  of  May, 
1861,  fifteen  hundred  on  the  12th  of  May,  1861, 
and  one  thousand  on  the  18th  of  May,  1861,  of 
which  said  cloth  a  sample  is  hereunto  annexed, 
marked  "  Brooks'  Brothers,  Sample  No.  4." 
Also  sixteen  hundred  blue  petersham  overcoats, 
all  wool,  indigo  blue,  to  be  delivered  May  1, 
1861,  of  which  said  petersham  a  sample  is  here- 
unto annexed,  marked  "  Brooks'  Brothers,  Sam- 
ple No.  5."  Also  two  thousand  mixed  kersey 
overcoats,  all  wool,  to  be  delivered  May  4,  1861, 
of  which  said  kersey  a  sample  is  hereunto  an- 
nexed, marked  "Brooks'  Brothers,  Sample  No. 
2  "  Also  four  thousand  and  four  hundred  cadet 
doeskin  overcoats,  all  wool,  to  be  delivered,  one- 
half  May  12,  1861,  and  one-half  May  18,  1861, 
of  which  said  doeskin  a  sample  is  hereunto  an- 
nexed, marked  "  Brooks'  Brothers,  Sample  No. 
6." 

Second.  The  said  jackets,  overcoats,  and  trow- 
sers shall  be  well  and  properly  cut  and  made, 
and  shall  be  of  four  sizes,  and  all  the  materials 
shall  be  of  the  best  quality  of  their  respective 
kinds,  and  they  shall  be  made  according  to 
shape  and  form,  according  to  certain  patterns 
heretofore  delivered  by  the  parties  of  the  second 
part  unto  the  partv  of  the  first  part,  and  marked 
A  B  and  C. 

The  board  thereupou  by  resolution  approved 
the  contract. 

On  the  third  day  of  May  the  governor  ap- 
pointed Wilson  G.  Hunt,  John  Gray,  George 
Opdyke  and  C.  Buckingham,  four  highly  re- 
spectable gentlemen,  to  iuspect  the  clothing 
furnished  by  Brooks'  Brothers,  under  their  con- 
tract. The  inspectors  with  the  contract  sam- 
ples before  them  gave  the  clothes  such  inspec- 
tion as  they  could,  or  as  they  thought  necessary, 
and  left  certificates  of  acceptance  to  be  affixed 
to  the  boxes  when  packed. 

It  turned  out,  however,  that  a  large  number  of 
the  uniforms  were  defective,  made  from  com- 
paratively worthless  cloth,  aud  the  work  upon 
them  badly  done. 


The  military  board  refused  to  pay  for  them, 
and  the  result  was  that  Brooks'  Brothers  agreed 
to,  and  did  furnish  to  the  board  2.350  additional 
first  rate  suits  which  were  received  by  the  board 
in  full  satisfaction  of  the  alleged  breach  of 
contract. 

These  2,350  suits  were  ordered  by  the  board 
to  he  furnished  without  charge  to  those  soldiers 
who  had  theretofore  received  the  defective 
Brooks'  uniforms. 

In  regard  to  all  the  facts  above  stated,  the 
majority  of  the  committee  and  the  undersigned, 
all  concur. 

Whether  the  soldiers  who  had  been  badly 
served  with  uniforms  actually  received  this  new 
supply  gratuitously,  is  questioned  by  the  major- 
ity of  the  committee.  But,  that  they  were  so 
ordered  by  the  board  and  forwarded  to  the 
soldiers  is  undisputed. 

The  points  raised  before  the  committee  for 
consideration,  and  where  difference  of  opinion 
from  the  evidence  before  us  might,  and  indeed 
did,  to  some  extent,  arise  were  : 

lint.  Whether  the  Brooks  Brothers'  contract 
as  finally  concluded  by  the  treasurer  and  ap- 
proved by  the  military  board,  was  fulfilled  by 
the  contractors. 

The  conclusion  at  which  the  unHersigned  has 
arrived,  from  the  testimony  before  us,  is,  that  it 
was  not  fulfilled ;  that  a  large  number  of  the  uni- 
forms furnished  were  made  from  cloth  greatly 
inferior  to  the  samples  annexed  to  the  contracts ; 
and  that  the  workmanship  of  many  of  the  clothes 
was  very  defective.  This  is  evidenced  by  the 
testimony  of  Governor  Morgan,  Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor Campbell,  Attorney-General  Myers,  and 
others.  It  is  true  that  the  inspectors  testified 
before  the  committee  that  the  clothes  were  fully 
equal  to  the  contract  samples.  But  it  should  be 
borne  in  mind  that  they  did  not  even  assume  to 
make  that  detailed  and  thorough  inspection 
which  was  found  necessary  in  such  cases,  and 
which  was  subsequently  practised  by  other  in- 
spectors. 

Indeed,  every  one  knows  that  those  gentlemen 
would  never  have  accepted  the  appointment,  if 
they  had  supposed  that  its  duties  required  of 
them  not  only  a  minute  inspection  of  the  mate- 
rial of  each  of  the  12,000  uniforms,  composed  of 
three  articles  each,  viz.,  overcoat,  trowsers  and 
jacket,  making  in  all  36,000  articles  of  clothing, 
but  also  the  inspection  of  the  manner  in  which 
the  tailor  had  done  his  work.  It  is  very  evident 
that  they  made  simply  a  general  inspection,  and 
that,  like  the  Treasurer,  they  placed  confidence 
in  the  contractors,  so  much  so  that  after  having 
made  their  inspection  they  left  their  certificates 
with  Brooks'  Brothers  to  be  attached  to  the  boxes 
after  they  should  be  packed. 

But  the  evidence  which,  to  the  mind  of  the 
undersigned,  has  great  weight  to  prove  that  they 
did  not  furnish  uniforms  of  as  good  quality  as 
the  contract  required,  is  the  undisputed  fact 
that,  for  the  purpose  of  settling  the  matter  with 
the  State  Board,  they  furnished  2,350  additional 
suits,  of  good  cloth  and  well  made,  worth  some 
fort ti- five  thousand  dollars. 

This  settlement  was  regarded  as  satisfactory  by 


the  State  Board,  aud  that  the  State  was  thereby 
made  whole.  The  undersigned  regrets  that,  in 
consequence  of  the  Brooks'  contract  having  been 
sent  to  Washington,  the  committee  have  not  been 
able  to  see  the  samples  attached. 

It  is  difficult  to  believe  that  the  whole  State 
Military  Board  would  unjustly  charge  upon  the 
contractors  a  non-fulfillment  of  their  contract, 
and  perhaps  still  more  difficult  to  believe  that 
under  such  unjust  charge  they  would  donate  to 
the  State  a  quantity  of  clothes  worth  $45,000. 

Another  charge  in  the  majority  report  is,  that 
the  Board  ought  not  to  have  ratified  the  contract 
made  by  Treasurer  Dorsheimer,  for  the  reason 
that  it  did  not  provide  for  army  cloth. 

The  undersigued  is  of  opinion  from  all  the 
testimony,  that  this  was  not  a  wise  contract — 
that  it  enabled  the  contractors  in  some  way  to 
impose  upon  the  inspectors  an  inferior  article 
of  clothing  which  could  not  have  been  done  if 
the  contract  had  distinctly  and  rigidly  provided 
for  army  cloth.  The  different  kinds  of  goods 
enumerated  in  the  contract  were  not  familiar  to 
the  Board,  but  were  old  and  familiar  acquaint- 
ances to  the  contractors.  And  here  it  may  be 
proper  to  remark,  it  is  not  impossible  that  the 
samples  furnished  the  inspectors,  although  in 
the  presence  6f  Mr.  Dorsheimer  who  confessedly 
was  no  judge  of  cloth,  may  have  been  in  each 
case  of  the  same  trade  name,  and  to  the  Trea- 
surer of  the  same  general  appearance,  yet  very 
inferior  in  point  of  value  to  the  cloth  attached, 
as  samples  to  the  contract  filed,  and  theu  in  the 
Comptroller's  office. 

If  Brooks  Brothers,  as  is  claimed,  had  at  the 
time  of  the  inspection,  their  own  duplicate  of  the 
contract  before  the  inspectors,  it  should  be  con- 
sidered that  none  of  the  State  Board,  except 
Dorsheimer,  ever  saw  the  duplicate  with  the 
samples  thereon  left  with  the  contractors.  These 
samples  may  possibly  have  differed  from  the 
samples  annexed  to  the  contract  approved  by 
the  board. 

The  undersigned  presents  this  view,  not  as 
the  true  one  to  be  readily  adopted,  but  as  fur- 
nishing a  theory  which  may,  to  some  minds, 
explain  why  the  inspectors  were  so  confident 
that  the  goods  furnished  equalled  the  contract 
samples.  In  passing  judgment  however  upon  the 
wisdom  of  this  contract,  and  especially  its  rati- 
fication by  the  Board  some  days  after  its  execu- 
tion in  New  York,  we  must  remember  that 
volunteers  were  enlisting  rapidly  —  that  the 
Board  had  some  days  before  decided  to  raise 
30,000  men — that  the  Brooks  Brothers  had  com- 
menced aud  were  then  making  under  the  con- 
tract with  Dorsheimer,  uniforms  with  great  in- 
dustry and  rapidity — that  clothes  must  be  had 
at  once  for  the  forces  leaping,  as  if  by  magic,  to 
their  country's  standard — that  genuine  army 
cloth  could  not  be  found  anywhere  in  the 
market — that  these  samples  appeared  to  the  un- 
practised eye  of  the  Treasurer  and  of  the  Board, 
to  be  nearly  or  quite  equal  to  the  army  sample. 
Again  each  day  involved  large  expenditures  by 
the  state  in  paying  and  subsisting  the  men,  and 
the  promptings  of  economy  demanded  the 
equipment  of  the  troops  as  rapidly  as  possible. 


On  the  21st  of  April,  the  day  before  the  notice 
was  published  ior  bids  for  uniforms,  the  Massa- 
chusetts troops  had  been  assailed  and  murdered 
in  the  streets  of  Baltimore — all  communication 
with  Washington  was  cut  off.  The  rebellion  was 
making  rapid  head — rapid  movements  by  the 
troops  were  indispensible  to  resist  the  swelling 
avalanche  of  armed  traitors  from  Virginia  which 
threatened  the  destruction  of  the  National  Capi- 
tol. 

It  could  not  be  expected  at  such  a  time,  nor 
ought  it  to  be  required  of  a  newly  organized 
Military  Board,  composed  of  men  whose  private 
life  and  whose  official  business  was  entirely  of  a 
civil  character,  that  they  should  do  erery thing 
pertaining  to  the  sudden  raising  of  a  military 
force,  with  the  perfectness  which  each  member 
of  the  board  could  claim  for  himself  in  the  dis- 
charge of  the  duties  for  which  he  was  elected 
by  the  people. 

Next  it  is  intimated  in  the  report  that  sufficient 
time  was  not  given  in  the  notice  to  the  associated 
press,  inviting  proposals. 

Undoubtedly,  if  the  only  question  involved 
had  been  merely  one  of  dollars  and  cents— if 
time  had  not  been  material,  then  the  notice 
should  have  been  for  a  longer  period ;  but  the 
Board  had  wisely  caused  to  be  appointed  a 
Committee  or  Board  of  Officers  to  ascertain  what 
was  necessary  for  the  forces  they  were  raising, 
and  the  probable  cost  of  furnishing  the  same  for 
each  man.  They  were  not  required  by  the  act 
of  April  16th  to  advertise  for  bids  for  anything. 
They  might  buy  when  and  where  and  of  whom 
they  in  their  judgment  thought  best  by  private 
purchase.  They  did,  however,  advertise  for 
bids,  and  received  them  from  several,  but  from 
no  one  except  Brooks  Brothers,  who  engaged  to 
supply  the  whole  within  the  time  required,  and 
they  found  this  bid  within  the  estimate,  of  the 
Committee  of  Military  officers.  As  it  resulted, 
if  they  had  wasted  a  week  in  advertising,  they 
would  have  gained  nothing  so  far  as  army  cloth 
was  concerned,  for  the  sudden  demand  had 
exhausted  the  supply,  and  it  was  not  to  be  had 
in  market  at  any  price. 

The  majority  report  intimates  that  the  fact 
that  Freeman,  agent  of  Brooks,  was  aware  of 
the  Board  being  about  to  buy  uniforms  by 
advertising  for  bids  or  otherwise,  is  evidence  of 
something  wrong  on  the  part  of  the  Board. 
The  report  does  not  specify  what  precise  conclu- 
sions, reflecting  upon  the  Board,  are  drawn  from 
this  fact ;  and  the  undersigned  is  unable  to  see 
why  this  is  prominently  set  forth  in  the  report. 
If  this  arose  from  the  sagacity  of  Brooks'  Bros, 
in  foreseeing  that  necessarily  the  soldiers  must 
have  clothes,  and  therefore  were  on  the  alert  for 
the  contract,  instead  of  surprise  at  this,  we  only 
wonder  that  more  large  houses  were  not  also 
offering  the  clothes  which  they  knew  must  be 
had.  And  again,  if  the  knowledge  by  Brooks, 
Of  the  probable  action  of  the  Board  arose  from 
direct  communications  to  them  by  some  of  its 
members,  this  only  Bhowa  that  they  were  making 
active  efforts  to  procure  the  articles  required — 
others  besides  Brooks  were  invited  to  be  present 
and  bid.     The  undersigned  cannot  suppose  for  a 


moment  that  the  majority  of  the  committee  con- 
clude seriously  from  this,  that  the  Board  at  this 
time  of  intense  anxiety  on  their  part,  when  every 
nerve  was  stretched  to  its  utmost  tension  to 
equip  and  hurry  forward  the  volunteers  to  the 
defense  of  Washington,  were  planning  to  spe- 
cially favor  Brooks'  Brothers,  and  to  exclude 
others  from  competing  with  bids  if  they  would 
furnish  within  the  time  the  uniforms  required. 

If  so,  the  answer  is  that  there  is  no  evidence 
whatever  to  justify  such  suspicions ;  and  £hen 
the  fact  that  others  too,  were  talked  with— that 
others  bid  also — that  Brooks'  Brothers,  one  of 
tlie  largest  if  uot  the  very  largest  of  the  New 
York  houses  in  that  line,  actually  did  hid  for 
army  cloth,  and  to  furnish  the  whole  12,000  suits 
in  time — that  they  found  themselves  positively 
unable  to  make  good  their  bid  for  want  of  mate- 
rial to  be  had  in  market — and  that  finally,  they 
having  failed  to  fulfil  the  Dorsheimer  contract, 
were  required  by  the  Board,  with  a  promptitude 
unprecedented  in  cases  of  wrongs  done  the  State, 
to  make  restitution  at  once.  This  repels  every 
presumption  of  favoritism  toward*  Brooks. 

The  majority  report  states  that  "  the  commit- 
tee are  obliged,  from  the  facts  established  by  the 
evidence,  to  disagree  with  the  report  of  the  State 
Military  Board,"  in  relation  to  the  Brooks'  con- 
tract. The  undersigned  finds  no  evidence  re- 
quiring the  committee  to  disagree  in  the  main 
with  that  report. 

And  again,  after  complaining  of  the  shortness 
of  the  notice  for  bids,  the  report  adds:  "Yet 
the  preceding  five  days  had  passed  without  any 
action — withont  calling  public  attention  to  the 
necessities  of  the  State ;  but,  on  the  contrary, 
representations  were  made  by  Adjutant-General 
Read  that  no  immediate  action  would  be  had." 

This,  in  the  judgment  of  the  undersigned,  is 
unjust.  The  Board  were  overloaded  with  their 
onerous  duties,  and  they  discharged  those  duties 
with  an  energy,  alacrity  and  success  that  aston- 
ished the  State. 

And  why  is  a  casual  remark  by  Adjutant-Gen- 
eral Read,  who  was  not  a  member  of  the  Board, 
foisted  into  the  report,  unless  to  create  the  sus- 
picion, without  evidence,  that  favoritism  was 
meditated  towards  Brooks? 

Immediately  follows  in  the  report  a  complaint 
that  the  agent  of  Brooks'  Brothers  knew,  by 
verbal  instruction  from  the  Board,  that  a  con- 
tract would  soon  be  given. 

The  making  of  so  much  out  of  such  little 
things  shows  that  there  was  nothing  of  serious 
magnitude  against  the  Board  to  be  presented, 
and  to  have  even  this  little  thing  dwindle  into 
nothing,  we  have  only  to  refer  to  the  testimony 
of  Arnoux,  upon  which  it  is  based.  Mr.  Arnoux 
testified  that  on  the  19th  April,  at  Albany,  Read 
told  him  "  there  were  no  proposals  out,  and  if  I 
wanted  to  do  anything  iu  that  way  to  go  home 
and  make  a  written  proposal,  and  my  letter 
would  go  on  file."  This  was  in  regard  to  uni- 
forms, and  four  days  before  the  contract  was 
given  to  Brooks,  and  was  not  only  truthfully 
said,  but  good  advice,  and  yet  the  report  effects 
to  understand  from  this  that  "  repaesentations 


were  made  by  Read  that  no  immediate  action 
would  be  hacl."  Evidently  the  writer  of  the  re- 
port was  hard  pushed  to  find  something  to  base 
a  censure  upon. 

The  report,  after  complaining  that  the  Board 
did  not  examine  the  Dorsheimer  Brooks'  contract 
and  samples  attached,  remarks  ;  "  One  false 
step  almost  invariably  leads  to  another  ;  "  and 
then  shows  up  what  is  regarded  as  another  false 
step  of  the  Board,  but  neither  the  first  nor  the 
second  pretended  false  step  appears  from  the 
evidence.  These  remarks  are  too  censorious  in 
their  tone  and  character. 

The  undersigned  does  not  concur  with  the 
majority  report  in  recommending  the  bill  re- 
ported by  the  chairman  for  the  payment  of  some 
$50,000  to  the  soldiers,  at  ten  dollars  each,  who 
received  the  defective  Brooks  clothing.  These 
soldiers  have  already  had  gratuitously  those 
2,350  suits  furnished  by  Brooks'  Brothers  to 
make  their  contract  good.  The  State  charged 
the  General  Government,  as  the  Governor  and 
others  testified,  for  the  12,000  suits  $19.50  each. 

The  Board  all  think,  according  to  their  testi- 
mony, that  this  supplemental  supply  from 
Brooks  was  sufficient  to  atone  for  the  deficiency 
in  the  first  instance. 

The  soldiers  have  had  the  full  benefit  of  that 
supplemental  supply  without  charge,  so  that 
those  who  had  defective  clothing  in  the  first  in- 
stance had  the  first  wear  of  them  and  then  an 
entire  new  suit  without  paying  for  but  one. 

The  representations  of  the  majority  report 
would  have  the  reader  to  understand,  that  these 
2,350  suits  have  been  charged  to  the  soldiers  re- 
ceiving them.  If  the  General  Government  au- 
thorities have  done  this,  it  is  not  in  accordance 
with  instructions  from  the  authorities  of  this 
State,  and  will  be  corrected  on  proper  applica- 
tion to  the  Federal  authorities.  The  report 
avers  that  there  were  at  least  5,000  uniforms  un- 
suitable for  service  charged  to  the  soldiers  who 
received  them  at  $19.50  each.  The  undersigned 
does  not  think  the  evidence  justifies  this  asser- 
tion as  to  the  number.  The  Governor  and  other 
State  officers  testify,  in  substance,  that  there 
were  different  grades  in  the  quality  of  the  uni- 
forms not  made  of  army  cloth,  that  some  of  them 
were  nearly  worthless,  while  others  were  not 
much  inferior  to  army  cloth  suits,  and  that  as  a 
whole,  no  State  in  the  Union  have  better  equip- 
ped soldiers  especially  in  their  uniforms,  than 
the  New  York  Volunteers. 

But  suppose  there  were  as  many  as  5,000  suits 
unfit  to  wear,  distributed  among  the  soldiers  as 
claimed  by  the  majority  report,  still  2,350  of 
these  were  re-supplied  gratuitously  to  the  re- 
spective soldiers  having  such  defective  uniforms, 
leaving  2,650  to  be  provided  for  at  $10  each  as 
the  bill  provides,  which  would  be  $26,500  in- 
stead of  $50,000  as  the  bill  now  is. 

But  the  undersigned  is  of  opinion  that  sub- 
stantial justice  has  been  done  already  to  the  sol- 
diers who  were  supplied  under  the  Brooks'  con- 
tract, and  that  to  pass  a  law  distributing  $50,000 
equally  among  5,000  troops  who  may  claim  that 
their  uniforms  were  defective,  will  give  rise  to 


greater  wrongs  and  frauds  upon  the  State,   than 
of  real  benefit  to  deserving  soldiers. 

SECOND  CLOTHING  CONTRACT. 

The  undersigned  did  not,  while  the  committee 
were  prosecuting  their  investigations,  see  the  ne- 
cessity of  taking  such  a  mass  of  testimony  upon 
the  subject  of  the  second  clothing  contract,  nor 
does  he  now  see  the  propriety  of  dwelling  upon 
it  so  long  and  so  elaborately  as  is  done  by  the 
majority  report,  with  such  copious  extracts  from 
the  testimony  taken  on  this  subject. 

In  the  judgment  of  the  undersigned,  the  whole 
affair  is  simply  and  plainly  this,  as  substantially 
sworn  to  by  some  of  the  members  of  the  Military 
Board,  and  corroborated  in  the  main  by  the  wit- 
nesses brought  against  them. 

They  required  15,000  more  uniforms,  and  on 
the  9th  of  May  they  ordered  advertisements  for 
proposals,  to  be  published  in  a  large  number  of 
New  York  and  other  papers.  The  published 
notice  for  bids  closed  by  saying  : 

"  The  Board  reserving  to  itself  the  right  to 
reject  such  bids  or  any  of  them,  if  they  shall 
deem  it  advisable." 

This  notice  was  published  till  the  18th  of  May 
then  instant.  In  the  meantime  the  Board,  by 
inquiry  and  otherwise,  had  ascertained  what 
would  be  a  fair  price  for  the  articles. 

They  had  made  arrangements  with  Mr.  Came- 
ron, Secretary  of  War,  to  have  the  volunteers 
received  by  the  General  Government  as  soon  as 
they  were  equipped  and  at  the  depot.  The  pay 
and  subsistence  for  one  day  would  be  some 
$5,000  for  the  15,000  troops  to  be  equipped,  and 
as  soon  as  they  rendezvoused  at  the  depot  those 
expenses  would  cease  so  far  as  the  State  was 
concerned,  and  be  borne  by  the  general  govern- 
ment, and  besides  the  troops  were  needed  im- 
mediately in  the  field  for  active  service. 

All  minor  considerations  very  properly  were 
made  to  yield  to  the  necessity  of  pushing  for- 
ward the  troops  at  the  earliest  possible  day. 

They  must  not  and  would  not  be  disappointed 
in  securing  the  requisite  uniforms  in  time,  and 
in  having  them  of  a  good  quality. 

Before  opening  the  bids  they  had  ascertained 
that  the  Kellogg  cloth,  so  called,  was  perfectly 
reliable,  and  for  the  purpose  of  inducing  com- 
petition, and  of  ensuring  the  obtaining  of  the 
uniforms  within  the  requisite  time,  they  decided 
to  pay  eighteen  dollars,  which  they  regarded  as 
a  fair  price  for  each,  not  so  high  as  to  make  it  a 
speculation  to  the  contractor,  nor  so  low  as  to 
compel  him  to  abandon  his  contract  or  to  fur- 
nish an  inferior  article,  and  instead  of  giving 
the  entire  contract  to  any  one  bidder,  they 
divided  it  into  six  equal  parts  among  cer- 
tain of  the  bidders.  The  disappointed  bidders, 
as  they  always  do  in  such  cases,  of  course  com- 
plained. But  the  undersigned  does  not  see  that 
here  is  anything  that  ought  to  be  very  seriously 
discussed  by  the  committee.  There  is  no  pos- 
sibility of  any  corrupt  motives  having  governed 
the  Board  in  this  matter,  nor  are  such  motives 
pretended  in  the  majority  report. 

The  utmost  that  can  be  said,  therefore,  by  the 
committee,  is,  that  in  their  judgment  the  State 


Military  Board  acted  unwisely  in  distributing 
among  six  persons  or  firms  what  was  offered  to 
be  done  by  one  at  a  lower  price.  I  have 
not  thought  it  constituted  a  part  of  the 
duty  of  five  members  of  Assembly  who  have 
no  special  military  experience,  and  none  of 
whom  ever  served  in  the  offices  of  either  of 
the  members  of  the  Military  Board,  to  sit  in 
judgment  upon  the  soundness  or  unsoundness 
of  a  decision  of  the  Board,  giving  this  con- 
tract to  six  parties,  at  $18  each.  They  knew 
more  about  the  matter  than  such  committee 
possibly  can.  Everything  was  fresh  before 
them.  They  had  no  motive  to  decide  against 
the  public  interests,  and  it  cannot  be  the  duty  of 
the  committee  to  act  as  an  appellate  court  and 
review  that  decision  when  nobody  complains 
except  disappointed  bidders.  It  was  a  legiti- 
mate business  transaction  of  the  Board.  They 
were  successful  in  it.  They  got  good  uniforms, 
and  within  the  time  required,  and  the  public 
Interests  were  properly  subserved.  This  was 
the  main  thing  they  aimed  at.  All  who  wish 
can,  by  reading  the  testimony,  decide  for  them- 
selves whether  this  transaction  was  wise  or  un- 
wise. The  undersigned,  however  does  not  con- 
cur with  the  majority  report  in  giving  such 
prominence  to  the  complaints  of  disappointed 
bidders.  Nor  in  the  sentiment  expressed  as 
follows :  "  Your  committee  feel  constrained  to 
say  that  the  matter  is  involved  in  much  doubt." 

CAPS 

The  Board  advertised  for  bids  for  15,000  caps. 
They  awarded  the  contract  to  Murphy  and 
Childs  at  $0.95,  after  carefully  inspecting  all  the 
samples  presented  by  other  bidders.  The  dis- 
appointed complained,  and  they  have  been  per- 
mitted to  testify  before  your  committee,  that 
they  would  severally  have  furnished  as  good  an 
article  for  a  less  sura.  The  members  of  the 
Board  testify,  in  substance,  that  they  were  of 
opinion  that  Murphy  &  Childs'  sample  was  the 
best. 

They  wanted  a  good  article,  and  they  were  fear- 
ful that  others  offered  at  a  lower  price,  would  not 
answer.  Undoubtedly,  afterwards,  as  experience 
and  skill  in  the  manufacture  of  caps  progressed, 
this  same  article  could  have  been  obtained  at  a 
less  price,  but  certainty  as  to  the  receiving  of 
these  articles  in  the  time  required,  in  sufficient 
quantities,  and  certain  y  as  to  the  quality,  was 
deemed  by  the  Board  paramount  to  any  con- 
siderations of  a  few  cents  each  In  their  price. 
The  majority  report  charges  no  improper  motives 
upon  the  Board  in  awarding  this  contract,  and 
the  undersigned  dismisses  this  subject  with  the 
same  general  remarks  that  he  has  applied  to  the 
second  clothing  contract. 

SALARIES  OP  STATE  MILITARY  OFFICERS. 
Tbe  majority  report  asserts  "that  the  State 
appropriated  and  paid  out  of  the  general  fund 
for  the  year  ending  September  30,  1861,  to  the 
Adjutant-General,  $1,500  ;  assistant  do.,  $1,000. 
J.  Meredith  Read,  Jr.,  Adjutant-General  until 
August  14,  was  paid  out  of  the  three  million 
fund  specially  appropriated  to  the  embodying 
and  equipment  of  the  volunteer  militia,  the  sum 


of  $859.88  for  the  four  preceding  months.  His 
salary  by  law  was,  for  that  period,  six  hundred 
dollars,  and  which  sum  was  also  paid  him  out  of 
the  State  treasury.  Hon.  Thomas  Hillhouse, 
who  succeeded  Read  as  Adjutant-General,  was 
paid  for  five  and  half  months'  service,  $1,326.73. 
The  Assistant  Adjutant-General  is  entitled  to  a 
salary  of  $1,000  per  annum.  Duncan  Campbell, 
for  nine  and  a  half  months'  service,  was  paid 
$1,541.50,  which  sum  was  charged  to  the  United 
States  government,  and  paid  out  of  the  th/ee 
million  fund,  and  in  addition  to  salary  allowed 
by  this  State.  The  Judge  Advocate  General  is 
entitled  by  law  to  a  salary  of  $150.  William  H. 
Anthon,  Esq.,  was  paid  for  service  of  nine 
months  and  one-half,  the  sum  of  $2,233.60,  out 
of  the  same  fund." 

The  substance  of  this,  is,  that  the  regular 
state  military  officers,  who  in  time  of  peace  are 
entitled  to  annual  salaries,  have,  not  only  during 
the  last  nine  months  received  their  regular  state 
salaries,  but  have  also  received  from  the  three 
million  fund  the  pay  of  regular  army  officers. 

If  this  was  so,  it  would  be  very  reprehensible, 
and  not  only  those  officers,  but  the  state  military 
board  should  be  severely  censured  for  it ;  and 
for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  truth  to  a 
certainty,  the  undersigned  addressed  a  note  of 
inquiry  on  the  subject  to  the  Comptroller,  and 
received  in  reply  the  following  with  the  accom- 
panying statement  : 

Comptroller's    Office,   ) 
Albany,  April  5th,  1862.      \ 

Hon.  Nelson  K.  Wheeler, 

Dear  Sir  : 

In  reply  to  your  note  of  yesterday,  I 
send  you  herewith  a  tabular  statement,  made  up  from 
the  books  in  this  office,  showing  the  amount  of  the  an- 
nual salaries  of  the  several  officers  named,  the  amount 
of  such  salaries  for  the  ten  uonths,  from  the  1st  April, 
1861,  to  1st  February,  1862  ;  the  amount  actually  paid  to 
those  officers  by  order  of  the  military  board,  for  services 
during  those  months,  and  the  excess  of  such  payments 
over  the  regular  salaries.  This,  I  believe,  answers  all 
your  inquiries.  I  should  perhaps  state  in  further  ex- 
planation, that  the  amount  allowed  to  these  several 
officers  was  not  fixed  by  the  board  until  the  20th 
November,  1861,  as  you  will  find  by  reference  to  the  re- 
port of  that  board,  page  212.  The  amounts  paid  pre- 
vious to  that  date,  and  subsequent  to  April  16,  1861, 
were  to  be  deducted.  The  regular  salaries  had  beeu 
paid  as  usual  previous  to  the  order  of  the  20th  Novem- 
ber, and  the  amounts  so  paid  were  deducted  from  the 
amount  of  pay  authorized  by  that  order. 

Very  truly  yours, 

L.  ROBINSON. 

See  Table. 

It  will  be  seen  from  this,  that  these  officers 
have  not  received  double  pay,  but  an  amount  in 
all,  equal  to  pay  of  regular  army  officers,  of  the 
rank  of  majors  and  captains  respectively,  from 
the  1st  of  April  last,  to  the  1st  of  February  last, 
which  is  larger  than  their  salaries. 

Whether  they  ought  to  have  discharged  the 
extraordinary  duties  which  devolved  upon  them, 
for  their  regular  peace  salaries,  or  whether  they 
were  equitably  entitled  to  regular  army  pay  for 
officers  of  those  grades — are  questions  which 
the  undersigned  leaves  without  comment. 

These  officers  claim  that  they  were  entitled  by 
their  rank  to  the  pay  of  officers  of  a  higher 


grade,  but  voluntarily  and  generously  consented 
to  receive  the  pay  of  lower  grade  officers. 

The  above  material  error  as  to  facts,  undoubt- 
edly arose  from  want  of  time  in  the  committee, 
to  thoroughly  investigate  the  matter,  after  re- 
ceiving the  vouchers  from  Washington,  and  not 
from  a  disposition  to  misrepresent. 


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ACCOUTREMENTS. 

In  reference  to  the  contract  for  accoutrements, 
the  undersigned  will  first  state  the  facta  in  the 
case  which  are  undisputed : 

On  the  24th  of  April,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Board 
the  Governor — who  had  previously  been  autho- 
rized by  the  Board  to  purchase  accoutrements 
and  equipments — reported  that  he  had  ordered 
the  publication  of  the  notice  drawn  out  and 
spread  upon  the  records  of  the  Board,  with  the 
name  of  Benjamin  Welch,  Jr.,  Commissary-Gen- 
eral, subscribed  thereto,  a  copy  of  which  is  siven 
in  the   majority    report   of  the  committee,  and 


10 


which  is  dated  April  20,  1861,  inviting  bids  for 
cartridge-boxes,  knapsacks,  haversacks.  &c,  &c. 

The  notice,  as  drawn  by  the  Governor,  was 
forwarded  to  Commissary-General  Welch,  then 
in  New  York,  on  the  20th  or  21st  of  April,  with 
instructions  to  publish  the  same  in  the  daily  pa- 
pers of  the  city. 

By  the  notice,  the  bids  were  to  be  presented 
and  the  bidders  requested  to  meet  at  the  Com- 
missary-General's office  in  New  York  on  the  26th 
of  April.  General  Welch  caused  the  notice  so 
sent  to  him  from  Albany  to  be  properly  pub- 
lished. 

On  the  25th  day  of  April,  the  day  previous  to 
the  opening  of  the  bids,  the  Treasurer,  Mr.  Dor- 
sheituer,  was,  by  resolution  of  the  Board,  ap- 
pointed "  to  proceed  to  New  York,  there  to  con- 
fer with  Assistant-Quartermaster-General  Arthur 
and  Major  Patrick  iii  regard  to  uniforms,  and  also 
that  he  be  a  committee,  in  conjunction  with  the 
Commissary-General,  to  open  and  award  the  con- 
tracts for  accoutrements  now  advertised  for." 

On  the  26th,  Mr.  Dorsheimer,  together  with 
General  Anthon,  Inspector-General  Jackson,  and 
Colonel  Shepard,  were  present  at  the  Commissa- 
ry-General's office  in  New  York,  to  consult  in 
reference  to  the  contracts  to  be  awarded,  who, 
together  with  General  Welch,  as  he  testifies,  con- 
curred in  awarding  the  contract  for  all  the  accou- 
trements to  Thomas  C.  Smith.  Smith  bid  for 
himself  and  one  Godwin.  Smith's  interest  in 
the  contract  was  one-third,  and  Godwin's  two- 
thirds.  Mr.  Dorsheimer  was  Che  only  member 
of  the  Military  Board  there. 

The  undersigned  dissents  from  the  majority 
report  on  this  subject,  and  especially  from  the 
peculiar  spirit  and  tone  in  which  it  is  written. 

The  report  asserts  that  "  the  State  paid,  on  this 
contract  not  less  than  $70,000  over  and  above  the 
market  value  of  the  goods." 

In  the  opinion  of  the  undersigned,  this  is  an 
overestimate. 

It  should  be  considered  that  this  is  based  upon 
the  testimony  of  disappointed  bidders,  who  now 
testify  from  the  experience  and  skill  since  ac- 
quired in  the  manufacture  of  those  articles,  and 
state  what  they  would  have  furnished  the  articles 
for.  Very  few  persons  then  knew  anything  about 
the  actual  cost  of  those  articles,  and  less  still, 
perhaps,  of  the  pattern  or  style  required  for  each. 
The  bidders  who  bid  less  than  Smith,  as  General 
Welch  testifies,  based  their  respective  bids  upon 
samples  furnished  by  each,  and  not  as  the  notice 
specified,  and  then  only  for  a  portion  of  what 
was  required. 

Smith,  however,  bid  for  the  whole,  and  on  the 
terms  of  the  notice  emanating  from  the  Governor, 
viz.,  that  the  articles  were  to  be  of  the  "army 
pattern." 

The  contract  with  Smith  having  been  approved 
by  Welch,  Dorsheimer,  and  all  the  military  offi- 
cers present,  it  is  to  be  presumed  that  there  were 
valid  reasons  which  induced  them  to  award  the 
contract  as  they  did. 

There  is  no  proof  that  either  of  them  had  any 
personal  motive  or  interest  to  reject  or  to  accept 
any  bid,  except  the  mere  fact  that  Gen.  Welch 
was  a  friend  of  Godwin. 


The  doctrine  of  the  majority  report,  in  refe- 
rence to  this  fact,  would  seem  to  be,  that  an  agent 
of  the  State  must  give  all  contracts  either  to  ene- 
mies or  strangers,  and  never  to  friends  (though 
entitled  by  the  terms  of  their  bids  to  receive 
them),  or  such  contracts  will  be  deemed  corrupt. 

As  to  the  subsequent  change  of  the  knapsacks 
from  vulcanized  rubber  to  enameled  cloth,  Gen'l 
Welch  testifies,  that  "after  some  vulcanized 
rubber  knapsacks  had  been  supplied,  it  was  sug- 
gested by  parties  that  the  rubber  knapsack  was 
not  as  good  as  the  enameled  cloth,  and  thereup- 
on he  dispatched  a  messenger  with  both  knap 
sacks  to  Albany  to  the  Board,  and  they  referred 
the  matter  to  Major  Patrick,  who  was  officially 
connected  with  the  Military  Board,  and  who  ap- 
proved of  the  change.  Major  Patrick  directed 
him  to  accept  the  enameled  cloth  knapsack ; 
the  witness  "had  no  knowledge  of  the  value  of 
these  goods  at  the  time."  This  testimony  is  un- 
contradicted. 

Godwin  testifies  that  he  believes  that  some 
few  of  the  vulcanized  rubber  knapsacks  were 
made  before  the  change,  and  that  many  officers 
objected  to  them.  Welch  testifies  that  some  2,- 
000,  more  or  less,  were  furnished  of  rubber,  and 
that  the  change  was  some  two  or  three  weeks 
after  the  cou tract. 

The  undersigned  has  no  special  comments  to 
make  upon  this  entire  transaction,  except  to  state 
that  in  his  opinion,  from  the  testimony,  there  is 
no  doubt  but  that  the  Smith  contract  turned  out 
to  be  a  profitable  one ;  that  at  the  present  time 
(and  possibly  then,  if  a  close  bargain  had  been 
driven),  a  more  favorable  contract  for  the  Staie 
could  be  made,  than  provided  for  in  the  Smith 
contract.  No  testimony  was  given  before  the 
committee,  going  to  show  that  any  person,  act- 
ing on  the  part  of  the  State,  had  any  interest  in 
the  contract. 

General  Welch  testifies  that  he  knew  of  no 
person  having  any  interest  in  the  contract,  except 
Smith  &  Godwin.  Go  twin  testifies  that  his  inte- 
rest in  the  contract  was  shared  by  one  George  H. 
Peck,  and  by  no  other  person  ;  and  the  only  fact 
upon  which  an  argument  can  be  based,  that  this 
was  not  a  judicious  contract,  is  the  testimony  of 
the  disappointed  bidders,  and  possibly  some 
others,  that  the  contract  was  let  at  prices  above 
the  market  value  of  the  articles. 

The  undersigned  in  this  connection  states, 
that  he  sincerely  regrets  his  inability  to  concur 
with  the  majority  of  the  committee  in  their 
rpport. 

In  the  laborious  and  responsible  duties  to 
which  the  committee  have  been  subjected,  he 
has  been  highly  gratified  with  the  harmony  of 
sentiment  and  views  between  him  and  all  the 
other  members  of  the  committee  (except  the 
chairman,)  upon  every  question  arising,  whether 
general  or  special,  and  he  is  fully  satisfied  that 
those  members  inteuded  to  discharge  their  duties 
honestly,  fairly  and  fearlessly. 

They  spent  much  more  time  upon  the  com- 
mittee, and  especially  in  the  examination  of  wit- 
nesses, than  the  undersigned,  who  had  but  little 
to  do  with  the  taking  of  the  testlmouy — that 
beiu>{  maiuly  conducted  by  the   chairman — the 


11 


undersigned  simply  examining  the  testimony  after 
it  was  so  taken.  And  the  undersigned  lias  au 
impression  that  much  of  the  testimony  so  taken, 
would  have  been  regarded  hy  those  members  as 
improper  or  immaterial,  if  they  had  acted  di- 
rectly in  the  matter  themselves.  The  relations 
between  the  chairman  and  the  undersigned  were 
personally  pleasant. 

The  undersigned  was.  daring  the  investigation 
and  still  is,  deeply  impressed  with  the  responsi- 
bilities attaching  to  the  duties  of  the  committee. 
On  the  one  hand,  it  was  believed  by  the  com- 
munity that  since  the  commencement  of  this 
unhappy  war,  and  especially  since  the  raising  of 
large  sums  of  money  commenced,  its  expendi- 
ture in  many  cases  through  the  land  has  been 
marked  by  fraud,  incompetence,  recklessness 
and  extravagance.  If  any  such  cases  existed  in 
this  state,  they  required  a  thorough  investigation 
and  a  bold  exposure,  and  emphatically  if  the 
indications  to  the  committee  in  reference  to  any 
given  transaction  were  that  corruption  was  con- 
nected with  it,  their  duty  was  to  probe  it  to  the 
bottom  and  fearlessly  lay  it  before  the  legislature 
and  the  world.  But  on  the  otherhand,  the  inno- 
cent ought  not  to  be  confounded  with  the  guilty. 

The  powers  conferred  upon  the  committee  in 
the  nature  of  a  secret  inquisition  to  call  before 
them  any  witnesses  they  pleased,  and  draw  out 
testimony  in  their  discretion,  no  matter  whose 
character  might  be  thus  assailed,  made  it  emi- 
neinly  proper  that  those  powers  should  be  exer- 
cised with  great  prudence  as  well  as  energy.  It 
was  quit<»  as  much  our  duty  not  to  improperly 
accuse  before  the  public  an  upright  man  by  re- 
ceiving and  publishing  illegal  testimony  against 
him  which  could  easily  be  explained  or  rebutted 
by  other  proof,  as  it  would  have  been  to  refuse 
to  take  testimony  that  would  expose  a  case  of 
actual  fraud.  The  parties  accused  were  not  pre- 
sent before  us  to  hear  the  witnesses  testifying 
against  them.  They  had  no  opportunity  to  de- 
fend themselves,  except  to  explain  as  well  as 
they  thought  necessary,  their  genera]  transac- 
tions without  knowing  the  testimony  against 
tliem.  In  such  cases  prima  facie  testimony  should 
be  received  and  scrutinized  with  caution,  es- 
pecially if  it  is  hearsay  or  other  illegal  testimony 
coming  from  accusing  witnesses  smarting  under 
the  disappointment  of  rejected  bids. 

The  majority  report  in  several  places  points  at 
the  transactions  of  the  lat*b  Col.  William  A. 
Jackson,  with  the  charge  covertly  but  substan- 
tially made  agaiust  him,  and  in  several  places 
reiterated  that  he  corruptly  procured  the  con- 
tract for  Brooks,  and  was  paid  for  his  favoritism 
by  a  suit  of  clothes. 

The  only  evidence  upon  which  the  report 
bases  this  pretended  suspicion  is,  that  he  ap- 
peared to  be  active  in  effecting  the  contract  with 
Brooks'  Brothers,  and  that  afterwards  he  was 
seen  publicly  to  be  measured  for  a  suit  of  clothes. 
It  was  a  part  of  his  official  duty  to  aid  in  procur- 
ing uniforms,  and  if  his  official  action  in  that  di- 
rection was  honest  as  well  as  energetic,  he  is  to 
be  commended  rather  than  blamed.  It  is  not 
just  to  infer  dishonesty  from  official  industry, 
nor  a  corrupt  intent  from  efficient  action.     It  is 


taxing  credulity  too  far,  to  believe  that  for  a  pal- 
try suit  of  clothes,  any  man  in  his  position  and 
under  the  exciting  circumstances  then  surround- 
ing him,  would,  at  the  risk  of  his  reputation  and 
regardless  of  the  interest  of  the  volunteers  he 
was  engaged  in  raising,  knowingly  and  corruptly 
urge  upon  the  board  a  bad  contract  for  clothes. 
Professor  Jackson,  of  Union  College,  the  father 
of  the  young  soldier  who  died  in  his  country's 
service,  has  furnished  the  undersigned  with 
his  affidavit  showing  that  the  bill  for  clothes, 
annexed  thereto,  from  Brooks'  Brothers,  against 
his  son  (not  receipted),  was  found  among  his  pa- 
pers after  his  death,  which  occurred  on  Novem- 
ber 11,  1861.  This  proves  that  they  at  least 
never  intended  these  clothes  as  a  gift,  and,  be- 
sides, they  afterwards  forwarded  to  the  father  a 
duplicate  of  the  bill  for  payment.  The  testimo- 
ny of  Wormer  carries  its  own  impeachment  on 
its  face.  His  testimony  is  too  willing — too  sus- 
picious— too  malicious  in  its  character,  to  con- 
vince anybody  of  what  it  aims  at.  Col.  Jackson 
is  now  dead.  The  evidence,  to  make  the  most 
of  it,  is  only  slightly  circumstantial,  and  that 
explained  away,  and  would  not  convict  him  of 
fraud  before  a  jury  even  prejudiced  against  him. 
Why  now  drag  his  case  before  the  world  ?  No 
good  can  come  of  it.  He  is  beyond  the  reach  of 
censure  or  of  praise.  The  only  effect  will  be  to 
excite  the  indignation  of  his  numerous  surviv- 
ing friends,  and  to  add  another  wail  to  the  family 
circle  of  the  young  officer  equal  to  that  produc- 
ed by  the  news  of  his  death  and  especially  to  tor- 
ture the  heart  of  his  respected  father,  who  loved 
him  so  well  when  living,  and  is  so  sensitive  to 
his  fame  now  that  he  is  dead.  All  that  is  now  left 
of  Col.  Jackson  to  his  family  and  friends  is  his 
memory  ;  and  humanity  revolts  at  this  wanton 
impeachment  of  his  manly  reputation.  He  was 
respected  and  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him.  It 
is  cruel — crnel  as  the  grave  which  now  holds 
him — that  his  reputation  should  be  assailed 
when  he  cannot  defend  it.  He  cannot  speak  for 
himself,  but  the  undersigned  now  speaks  for 
him,  and  begs  of  the  just  and  generous  that  they 
will  repel  with  scorn  this  attack  upon  the  mem- 
ory of  the  lamented  soldier. 

In  conclusion  the  undersigned  remarks,  that 
in  discharging  his  unpleasant  duties  as  member 
of  the  committee,  his  principle  and  disposition 
have  been  on  the  one  hand,  that  no  considera- 
tions of  a  personal  or  political  character,  and  no 
combination  of  official  power  or  influence  if  at- 
tempted should  deter  him  from  a  full  exposure 
of  every  reprehensible  fault  when  satisfactorily 
ascertained  in  any  person,  high  or  low,  within 
the  scope  of  our  legitimate  inquiries.  Yet,  on 
the  other  hand,  he  would  not  fling  to  the  world 
mere  suspicions,  which  he  deemed  unfounded, 
against  an  innocent  man  or  one  not  proved 
guilty. 

It  is  not  right  that  evidence  only  tending  to 
suspicion  after  a  full  investigation  should  be 
construed  as  proving  partial  guilt. 

The  man  charged  is  either  innocent  or  guilty. 
If  the  proof  is  unsatisfactory  of  his  guilt  he 
should  be  regarded  as  wholly  innoeent,  especial- 
ly in  a  one-sided  proceeding  like  ours. 


12 


But  all  the  testimony  hag  been  reported  by 
the  majority  of  the  committee,  and  is  before  the 
world,  and  it  may  be  safely  said  that  no  testi- 
mony which  could  be  obtained  against  the 
Military  Board  has  been  omitted.  On  reading 
that  evidence  others  can  decide  upon  the  charges 
preferred  or  suggested  equally  well  with  the  un- 
dersigned. 

Nothing  is  covered  up — nothing  is  withheld. 
But  the  undersigned  cannot,  on  his  part,  avoid 
considering  that  the  call  of  the  President  for 
troops  required  prompt  action  on  the  part  of  the 
State  authorities  ;  that  time  was  the  great  con- 
sideration in  procuring  the  necessary  supplies, 
and  hasty,  perhaps  inconsiderate,  action  in  many 
instances  was  the  inevitable  consequence.  Arms 
were  procured  here  as  far  as  practicable,  and  an 
agent  also  sent  to  Europe  for  that  purpose. 
Uniforms,  equipments,  supplies  and  other  re- 
quisites they  obtained  as  they  could,  and  within 
eighty-five  days  from  the  passage  of  the  act, 
creating  the  Board,  the  last  one  of  the  38  regi- 
ments, containing  30,000  men,  fully  armed  and 
equipped,  was  on  its  way  to  the  National  battle- 
field. All  this  was  in  addition  to  the  preparing 
and  sending  forward  of  the  regular  State  Militia 
regiments.  This  reflects  great  credit  not  only 
upon  the  Military  Board,  but  upon  the  efficient 
officers  of  the  several  Staff  Departments  of  the 
State,  who  aided  them  in  their  arduous  and  suc- 


cessful labors.  Under  such  circumstances  the 
undersigned  is  disinclined  to  review  with  rigid 
scrutiny  the  wisdom  of  the  details  of  their 
action.  Even  Dorsheimer,  who  was  undoubtedly 
imprudent  and  unskillful  in  the  matter  of  the 
Brooks'  contract,  should  not  be  censured  too 
severely,  unless  some  one  should  draw  the 
inference  that  he  was  corrupt,  and  to  such  a 
person  the  undersigned  has  nothing  to  say.  A 
truly  upright  man  considers  whether  what  he  is 
doing  is  right,  not  how  others  will  look  upon  it, 
and  he  who  seeks  to  establish  a  reputation  for 
honesty  by  so  shaping  his  conduct  as  to  avoid 
the  suspicions  of  others,  and  shrinks  from  fear- 
lessly doing  in  any  case  what  his  judgment  tells 
him  is  right,  lest  appearance  should  condemn 
him,  is  not  only  a  moral  coward,  but  half  a 
knave. 

As  a  whole,  in  the  action  of  the  Military  State 
Board,  the  undersigned  finds  cause  for  commen- 
dation rather  than  censure  ;  for  confidence  rather 
than  distrust  ;  for  congratulation  rather  than 
complaint.  Certain  he  is,  that  he  has  been 
unable  to  discover  the  great  wrongs  which  the 
majority  report  affects  to  have  lound  in  the 
investigation. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

NELSON  K.  WHEELER. 
Albany,  April  15,  1862. 


Supplementary  Report   of  the  Majority  of  the  Select  Committee 
to  Investigate  the  Transactions  of  the  State  Military  Board. 


To  the  Assembly. 

The  Select  Committee  appointed  to  investi- 
gate the  transactions  of  the  State  Military  Board, 
present  a  supplemental  and  final  report  as  con- 
cluding the  labors  imposed  upon  them  by  the 
action  of  the  Assembly. 

Errors  of  conclusion,  based  upon  imperfect 
testimony  and  in  part  of  impaired  recollection, 
your  committee  do  not  feel  responsible  for. 
While  prosecuting  the  investigation,  your  com- 
mittee neither  attempted  to  establish  the  com- 
plicity of  any  person  with  dishonorable  transac- 
tions, nor  did  they  seek  to  shield  any  party  from 
the  blame  which  must  necessarily  attach  to  such 
associations.  In  directing  special  attention  to 
testimony,  your  committee  are  not  conscious  of 
having  failed  to  present  all  the  facts  affecting  the 
official  or  personal  integrity  of  every  individual 
named  therein. 


Since  presenting  the  first  report,  testimony  has 
been  taken  which  places  the  official  action  of  the 
late  Wm.  A.  Jackson  in  a  different  light,  chang- 
ing the  conclusions  to  which  your  committee 
then  arrived.  The  facts  as  they  now  appear, 
show  that  Mr.  Jackson  was  at  New  York  in  the 
discharge  of  his  official  duty,  and  that  involved 
a  cognizance  of  the  Brooks'  contract,  and  had  he 
failed  to  exercise  an  official  supervision  of  that 
contract,  the  evils  which  subsequently  grew  out 
of  it  might  have  been  partly  laid  at  his  door. 

From  the  testimony  of  Daniel  Wormer,  and 
to  which  too  much  importance  was  attached, 
inferences  were  drawn  which  subsequent  inquiry 
proves  to  have  been  erroneous. 

The  affidavit  of  Professor  Jackson,  father  of 
Wm.  A.  Juckson,  shows  that  the  suits  of  clothing 
to  which  Wormer  refers,  were  simply  purchases, 
and  so  understood  by  the  parties  to  the  transac- 
tion.   The  testimony  of  some  of  the  best  citizena 


13 


of  Albany,  as  to  the  character  of  Wra,  A .  Jackson, 
is  herewith  submitted,  that  it  may  correct  any 
wrong  conclusions  embraced  in  our  former  re- 
port, based  upon  the  testimony  then  presented 
to  your  committee. 

The  statements  previously  made,  as  to  the 
salaries  paid  members  of  the  Governor's  Military 
staff,  were  based  upon  information  received  from 
and  which  grew  out  of  a  misunderstanding  at 
the  Comptroller's  office. 

In  behalf  and  by  order  of  the  Committee,  r 

EDGAR  McMULLEN,  Chairman. 
Albant,  April  19,  1862. 


TESTIMONY 

Albany,  April  18,  1862. 
Governor  E.  J).  Morgan  sworn  : 

First  Question — Was  William  A.  Jackson,  de- 
ceased, at  New  York,  on  or  about  April  2-3th, 
26th  and  27th,  1861,  by  order  of  State  Mili- 
tary Board,  and  was  he  ordered  or  requested  by 
you  to  consult  with  Brooks  Brothers,  or  Philip 
Dorsheimer,  as  to  the  completion,  alteration  or 
character  of  the  contract  made  for  12,000  suits 
or  uniforms  for  the  State  Military  Board  ]  If 
yea,  state  in  what  manner. 

Answer — William  A.  Jaokson,  Inspector  Gen- 
eral, was  in  New  York  at  or  about  the  period 
mentioned,  not  by  order  of  the  Military  Board, 
however,  but  for  the  purpose  of  attending  to 
the  duties  of  his  position  ;  and  while  he  was  not 
formally  ordered,  or  so  far  as  I  can  recollect, 
even  requested  to  consult  with  Brooks  Brothers, 
or  Mr.  Dorsheimer,  as  to  the  completion,  altera- 
tion, or  character  of  the  contract  made  tor  12,000 
uniforms,  it  was  nevertheless  but  natural  and 
proj>er  that  he  should  be  consulted  with,  and 
fully  inform  himself  about  the  progress  of  the 
contract,  especially  as  in  his  official  capacity  he 
had  just  been  acting  as  Chairman  of  the  Board, 
convened  to  determine  upon  the  bill  of  dress 
adopted  for  the  New  York  Volunteer  Soldiers, 
and  was  aware  that  it  was  the  desire  of  the  Board 
to  have  the  uniforms  furnished  at  the  earliest 
day  possible. 

Second  Question — State  generally  what  know- 
ledge you  have  as  to  the  official  conduct  and  ac- 
tion of  Wm.  A.  Jackson  while  Inspector  General, 
and  whether  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty  any 
reasonable  ground  of  complaint  existed. 

Answer — He  entered  upon  his  duties  January 
1st,  1861.  His  duties  were  confined  to  the  usual 
personal  examination  and  conducting  the  ordi- 
nary correspondence  of  his  department,  previous 
to  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion  in  April.  He 
was  among  the  first  of  those  consulted  about 
the  organization  of  the  forces  and  the  mode  of 
equipping  the  Volunteer  soldiers  under  the  Act 
of  April  16th,  1861,  and  up  to  the  time  of  his 
accepting  the  Colonelcy  of  the  18th  Regiment, 
early  in  May,  his  duties  were  zealously  and  hon- 
estly performed.  His  whole  official  conduct,  so 
far  as  I  have  any  knowledge  and  opportunity  for 
judging,  was  becoming  to  him  both  as  an  officer 
and  a  man. 


Albant,  April  18,  1862. 
Wm.  IT,  Anthon,  Esq.  ; 

Sir — You  will  please  answer  the  following  in- 
terrogatories : 

Question — Were  you  at  New  York  city  on  or 
about  April  25,  2G  and  27,  1861 ;  and  did  you  at 
that  time  have  official  intercourse  with  Wm.  A. 
Jackson,  deceased? 

Question — Did  you  understand  from  him,  or 
did  you  assume,  from  the  character  of  his  official 
position  as  State  Inspector  General,  that  he  was 
authorized  or  required  to  take  official  cognizance 
of  the  Brooks'  contract  for  clothing  ?  If  yea, 
state  the  character  of  your  communication  and 
the  nature  of  Mr.  Jackson's  connection  with  said 
contract,  and  whether  he  was  exceeding  his  pow- 
ers or  duties  as  Inspector  General,  in  advising 
with  Brooks  Brothers  and  Mr.  Dorsheimer,  as  to 
the  final  disposition  of  said  contract. 

By  order  of  Assembly  Committee  appointed  to 
investigate  Transactions  of  State  Military  Board. 

(Signed)     EDGAR  McMULLEN,  Chairman. 

The  answer  of  William  Henry  Anthon,  Judge 
Advocate  General  of  the  State  of  New  York,  to 
the  interrogatories  propounded  by  Hon.  Edgar 
McMullen,  Chairman  of  the  Assembly  Commit- 
tee, appointed  to  investigate  transactions  of  the 
State  Military  Board. 

To  the  first  interrogatory  he  answers  :   Yes. 

To  the  second  interrogatory  he  answers  that 
J  he  did  both  understand  from  what  was  commu- 
nicated to  him  by  Inspector  General  Jackson, 
;  and  assume  from  the  nature  of  his  official  posi- 
tion that  General  Jackson  was  authorized  and 
required  to  take  official  cognizance  of  the  Brooks' 
contract  for  clothing,  and  had  visited  New  York 
for  the  purpose  of  giving  to  ^he  contractors 
minute  and  particular  instructions  as  to  the  man- 
ner in  which  the  uniforms  were  to  be  made,  and 
that  he  was  not  exceeding  his  powers  as  Inspec- 
tor General  in  so  doinjr,  and  that  it  was  part  of 
his  official  duty  to  advise  with  Brooks  Brothers 
and  Mr.  Dorsheimer  as  to  the  final  disposition 
of  said  contract. 

April  ISth,  1862. 
(Signed)  WM.  HENRY  ANTHON, 

Judge  Advocate  General, 
State  of  New  York. 

Sworn  to  before  me,  April  18,  1862. 

EDGAR  McMULLEN,  Chairman. 

Albany,  April  17,  1862. 
John  B.  Sfurteiant  sworn  ; — 

Reside  in  Albany.  I  know  Daniel  Wormer — 
have  for  8  or  10  years;  I  am  personally  ac- 
quainted with  his  general  reputation  for  truth 
and  veracity ;  his  general  reputation  for  truth 
and  veracity  is  bad.  I  have  no  hesitation  in 
saying  that  to  shield  himself  from  any  criminal 
or  pecuniary  responsibility  he  would  give  testi- 
mony which  would  oast  unnecessary  and  un- 
founded suspicion  upon  other  persons.  I  have 
done  business  for,  and  had  litigation  against 
him,  and  our  relations  now  are  friendly.  I 
knew  W.  A.  Jackson  well,  and  for  several  years. 
I  do  not  believe  that  in  his  official  action  he 
would  have  been  governed  by  improper  mo- 
tives. 


14 


Albany,  April  17,  1862. 
Henry  H.  Martin  sworn  : 

Reside  in  Albany  ;  I  know  Wm,  A.  Jackson, 
deceased  ;  have  known  him  since  he  was  a  child  ; 
I  never  knew  him  to  do  a  dishonorable  thing 
or  give  utterance  to  a  dishonorable  sentiment  ; 
1  considered  him  a  man  of  high-tone  and  good 
moral  character ;  I  can  speak  unqualifiedly  ;  I 
thought  him  incapable  of  any  dishonorable  act, 
officially  or  personally  ;  nothing  but  the  strong- 
est proof  would  influence  my  opinion,  cer- 
tainly no  insinuation  or  inuendo  would  lead  me 
to  think  he  could  have  been  capable  of  improper 
conduct. 

Rufus  H.  King  sworn  ; 

Reside  in  Albany. 

Question — Are  you  acquainted  with  Daniel 
Wormer  ? 

Answer — No,  sir. 

Question — Were  you  acquainted  with  Wm.  A. 
Jackson,  deceased  ? 

Answer — Yes,  sir  ;  I  had  no  special  knowledge 
of  his  military  conduct  or  action  ;  I  knew  him 
personally,  very  intimately,  and  never  knew 
anything  wrong  of  him.  His  character  for 
truth  and  veracity  was  as  good  as  that  of  any 
young  man  in  town. 

Albany,  April  17,  1862. 

State  of  New  Yoke,  ; 

City  and  County  of  Albany,  \ 

Isaac  W.  Jackson,  of  the  city  of  Schenectady> 
being  duly  sworn,  says  that  he  is  the  father  of 
Col.  W.  A.  Jackson,  deceased.  That  since  the 
death  of  his  son  William,  he  received  from 
Brooks  Brothers  a  bill  for  goods  sold  to  said 
William,  which  bill  is  hereunto  annexed ;  that 
said  bill  was  mailed  to  this  deponent  on  or  about 
the  10th  day  of  February,  1862,  as  this  deponent 
verily  believes. 

Deponent  further  says  that  among  the  papers 
of  his  said  son,  which  have  come  into  posses- 
sion of  deponent  since  the  death  of  said  son,  he 
found  another'  bill  in  all  respects  like  the  one 
hereto  annexed,  which  was  sent  to  deponent's 
son  by  Brooks'  Brothers,  prior  to  his  death,  as 
deponent  verily  believes. 

(Signed)  I.  W.  JACKSON. 

Sworn  to  before  me  April  17,  1862. 

J.  HOWARD  KING,  Com.  of  Deeds. 

New  Yoek,  Feb.  18,  1862. 
Mr.  W.  A.  Jackson, 

Bought  of  Brooks  Brothers, 
Clothing  House, 

Broadway  and  Grand  Street. 

June  29— Coat  27,  Overcoat  35,  Pants  11,  do  9, $S2 

July  11— Flannel  Coat, 14 

$90 


Extracts  from  the  Report  of  the  Military 
Board,  made  January  9,  1862,  being 
Document  No.  15  of  the  Assembly. 

William  II.  Anthon,  of  the  city  and  county  of 
New  York,  Judge  Advocate  General  of  said  State, 


being  duly  sworn,  testified  as  follows,  viz. :  On 
the  25th  day  of  April,  1861,  Inspector  General 
Jackson  called  at  my  office,  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  and  requested  me  to  go  with  him  to  the 
store  of  Messrs.  Brooks  Brothers,  to  draw  a  con- 
tract for  the  furnishing  of  uniforms  for  the  New 
York  State  volunteers  ;  when  I  arrived  at  the 
store  of  Messrs.  Brooks,  I  found  General  Jackson 
there,  in  company  with  several  of  the  firm  of 
Brooks  Brothers,  inspecting  samples  of  cloth ; 
the  Messrs.  Brooks  stated  that  they  had  sent  all 
over  the  city  to  obtain  army  cloth  of  the  char- 
acter decided  upon  by  the  State  Board,  but  could 
only  obtain  sufficient  for  three  regiments,  and 
that  the  samples  of  other  cloths  which  they  ex- 
hibited could  be  obtained  in  sufficient  quantities, 
and  that  they  were  willing  to  make  the  uniforms 
of  these  cloths,  although  it  would  be  a  loss  to 
themselves,  as  they  were  more  expensive  than 
those  selected  by  the  Board  ;  I  am  not  an  expert 
in  regard  to  cloths,  but  the  samples  were  fresh, 
new  and  strong,  and  seemed  to  me  to  be  in  every 
way  suitable  for  the  purpose  :  I  did  not,  how- 
ever, feel  myself  qualified  to  express  an  opinion 
upon  this  point  as  an  expert ;  I  suggested  to  the 
Inspector  General  that  it  would  be  well  to  tele- 
graph to  other  cities  in  order  to  learn  whether 
the  requisite  supply  of  army  blue  cloth,  of  the 
character  selected  by  the  Board,  could  not  be 
thence  obtained;  the  Messrs.  Brooks  stated  that 
th?y,had  done  so,  and  that,  owing  to  the  immense 
demand  for  this  material,  the  stock  had  been 
completely  exhausted  ;  that  the  mills  both  here 
and  elsewhere  were  running  night  and  day,  but 
that  it  would  delay  the  execution  of  the  contract 
at  least  one  month,  unless  other  cloth  was  selec- 
ted ;  the  conversation  upon  this  subject  lasted 
about  one  hour,  and  was  interrupted  by  a  mes- 
senger, who  came  to  say  that  the  agents  of  other 
states  (I  think  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania  were  the 
states  named)  wanted  the  goods  of  which  the 
Messrs.  Brooks  were  showing  us  the  samples, 
and  that  a  decision  must  be  made  at  once,  or  else 
they  would  be  sold.  The  Messrs.  Brooks  stated 
that  if  these  goods  were  sold,  they  knew  not 
where  they  should  find  others  suitable  for  uni- 
forms ;  I  advised  Inspector  General  Jackson  to 
telegraph  to  Albany  for  the  opinion  of  the  State 
board  upon  the  subject ;  he  answered  that  he 
had  already  done  so,  but  had  received  no  answer, 
although  his  despatch  had  been  sent  more  than 
three  hours  before. 

The  Messrs.  Brooks  seemed  very  anxious  to 
have  the  matter  settled,  lest  they  should  lose  the 
goods,  and  sent  a  person  to  the  stores  of  the 
merchants  to  request  them  to  make  no  sale  to 
any  other  parties  ;  the  answer  came  back  that 
they  refused  to  hold  the  goods  for  them  any 
longer ;  General  Jackson  said  that  he  approved 
highly  of  the  samples,  and  was  willing  to  make 
the  change  upon  the  representations  made  by  the 
Messrs.  Brooks  as  to  the  quality  of  the  articles, 
and  asked  me  whether  I  thought  he  was  justified 
in  taking  the  responsibility  in  consideration  of 
the  peculiar  circumstances,  namely,  the  great 
scarcity  of  goods  suitable  for  military  purposes, 
the  danger  of  losing  the  only  suitable  goods  in 
the  market,  and  the  pressing  necessity  for  uni 


15 


forming  troops  without  delay.  I  told  him  that  I 
thought  the  circumstances  would  justify  him, 
but  it  would  be  as  well  to  defer  the  execution  of 
the  contract  until  the  evening  in  the  hope  of 
hearing  from  Albany.  This  was  done,  the  own- 
ers of  the  goods  being  informed  by  the  Messrs. 
Brooks,  as  I  understood,  that  they  wouloY  with- 
out doubt  be  accepted.  In  the  meantime  a  i 
telegram  was  received  from  Albany  ordering 
that  nothing  further  should  be  done  about 
the  contracts,  and  stating  that  Mr.  Dorsheimer 
would  come  down  by  the  train  ;*  he  arrived 
at  10^  P.  M.  At  that  hour  General  Jackson, 
Messrs.  Brooks  and  myself  met  Mr.  Dorsheimer 
at  the  Astor  House,  and  the  samples  were 
submitted  to  him  for  examination,  and  the 
same  statements  as  to  the  excellence  of  the 
fabrics  were  made  to  him  by  Messrs.  Brooks 
as  had  been  previously  made  to  us.  Mr.  Dor- 
sheimer took  time  to  consider,  and  left  the  Astor 
House  in  order  to  make  inquiries  as  to  the  stock 
of  goods  suitable  for  military  purposes  in  the 
city.  When  he  returned  he  instructed  me  to 
draw  a  contract  with  the  Messrs.  Brooks,  to  be 
6igned  by  him  on  the  part  of  the  state,  and  to  be 
particular  to  have  the  samples  carefully  desig- 
nated, so  that  there  should  be  no  mistake.  I 
drew  the  contract  and  duplicate,  and  attached 
the  samples,  and  the  next  day  the  contract  was 
duly  executed.  I  have  seen  the  gray  cloth  of 
which  the  uniforms  of  Cols.Quimby  and  Walrath's 
regiments  are  made,  during  my  recent  visit,  upon 
official  business,  to  the  city  of  Washington. 
The  cloth  of  which  these  uniforms  are  made  is 
rotten,  and  may  easily  be  torn  with  the  fingers. 
It  is  not  like  the  sample  cloth,  which  is  strong 
and  cannot  be  so  torn.  The  shade  of  color,  also, 
is  different,  having  a  rusty  and  faded  appearance ; 
I  have  conversed  with  army  officers  and  other 
gentlemen  of  experience  at  Washington,  and 
have  learned  from  them  that  cloths  do  become 
rotten  from  age,  and  from  being  kept  in  improper 
places ;  that  this  is  frequently  the  case  with  the 
cloth  used  in  the  army,  and  that  the  utmost  care 
is  necessary,  on  the  part  of  inspecting  officers, 
as  the  appearance  of  the  defective  article  is  very 
nearly  the  same  as  that  of  the  good  article,  the 
difference  in  appearance  consisting  in  a  rusty  and 
faded  look  about  the  color  which  might  not  be 
detected  by  any  except  a  practised  eye,  and  that 

*  The  telegrams  referred  to  are  (pago  170  of  the  Re- 
port of  the  Military  Board)  as  follows  : 

New  York,  April  26,1861. 
'*  Gov.  E.  D.  Morgan  :  Can  I  change  the  colors  of  the 
uniforms  ?  I  can't  get  the  cloth  of  the  colors  required. 
Gen.  8.  Yates  and  Arthur  advise  the  change.  Answer 
at  once,  or  I  shall  lose  the  chance  of  getting  the  cloth. 
Send  answer  to  general  telegraph  office. 

W1L  A.  JACKSON. 

Albany,  April  25, 1861 — 1.45,  a.m. 
Wm.  A.  Jacksos,   General    Telegraph    Office,  New 
York  :  Treasurer  Dorsheimer  leaves  for  New  York  at  5. 
"Wait  till  he  arrives.    He  goes  as  a  committee  of  the 
Board. 

"E.  D.  MORGAN."' 


a  good  inspector  would  detect  it  at  a  glance,  and 

throw  out  such  goods  at  once. 

(Signed.)  WM.  HENRY  ANTHON. 

Taken,  subscribed,  and  sworn  before 

me,  this  lllth  June,  1861, 
(Signed)  R.  Campbell,  Chairman. 

Elisha  Brooks,  of  New  York,  one  of  the  firm 
of  Brooks  Brothers,  of  said  city,  a  witness,  called 
and  sworn,  testified  as  follows,  viz. : 

The  firm  of  Brooks  Brothers,  No.  468  Broad- 
way, is  composed  of  the  following  persons, 
namely,  Daniel  H.  Brooks,  John  Brooks,  Edward 
L.  Brooks,  and  myself.  Our  firm  made  pro- 
posals to  the  State  Military  Board  of  state  officers 
for  manufacturing  12,000  uniforms  for  the  volun- 
teer militia  of  the  s^ate. 

Question — Was  any  other  person  directly  or 
indirectly  interested  in  such  proposal  ? 

Answer — No  ;  not  to  my  knowledge. 

Question — Who  was  your  agent  to  make  such 
proposals  ? 

Answer — Mr.  Robert  Freeman ;  he  went  to 
Albany  for  that  purpose. 

Question — By  your  proposals  were  the  uni- 
forms to  be  made  of  army  cloth,  such  as  is  used 
in  the  United  States  army  1 

Answer — When  the  proposals  were  given,  I 
think  they  were  ;  our  proposals  were  accepted  to 
make  such  uniforms  at  $19.50  a  suit. 

Question — Who  first  proposed  a  ch  ange  of  the 
material  out  of  which  such  uniforms  were  to  be 
manufactured  ? 

Answer — I  do  not  know. 

Question — Was  any  person  or  persons  employ- 
ed by  you  or  your  firm,  to  your  knowledge,  in- 
formation or  belief,  to  procure  a  change  of  the 
material  out  of  which  such  uuiforms  were  to  be 
manufactured  ? 

Answer — No. 

Question — Have  you  or  your  firm,  to  your 
knowledge,  information  or  belief,  paid  or  agreed 
to  pay  any  person  or  persons  any  sum  of  money, 
or  other  valuable  consideration,  upon  condition 
that  you  were  allowed  to  make  up  such  uniforms 
out  of  other  cloth  than  army  cloth  ? 

Answer — No. 

Question — Have  your  firm  paid  or  agreed  to 
pay,  to  your  knowledge,- information  or  belief, 
any  money  or  percentage  upon  the  amount  of 
such  contract,  to  any  person  or  persons,  for  any 
services  rendered  by  any  person,  in  procuring 
said  contract,  or  in  procuring  a  change  in  said 
contract  ? 

Answer — No. 

Question — Have  you,  or  your  firm,  paid  or 
given  any  money  or  other  valuable  thing  to  any 
state  officer  or  agent,  for  any  service  rendered 
you  or  your  firm  in  relation  to  such  contract  ? 

Answer — No,  not  to  my  knowledge ;  and  I 
have  never  heard  of  any  money  being  paid  or 
promised,  or  any  gift  being  made  for  such  pur- 
pose.    ******** 

ELISHA  BROOKS. 
Subscribed  and  sworn  before  ) 

me,  the  12th  June,  1861,      \ 

Robert  Campbell,  Chairman. 


16- 


John  Brooks,  one  of  the  firm  of  the  Brooks 
Brothers,  being  duly  sworn,  testified  as  follows, 
viz.  :******#* 

Question — Have  you  or  your  firm,  or  any 
member  of  it,  or  any  other  person  in  your  behalf, 
paid,  or  agreed  to  pay,  or  give  any  money,  or 
other  valuable  thing,  to  procure  such  contract, 
or  a  change  of  such  contract,  from  the  terms  of 
your  proposal  ? 

Answer — Not  to  my  knowledge. 

Question — Have  you  beard  of  any  money  or 
other  thing  being  paid  or  given  for  such  pur- 
pose 1 

Answer — No. 

Edward  S.  Brooks,  being  duly  sworn,  testi- 
fied as  follows,  viz. :        *        *        *        *        * 

Question — Have  your  said  nrm,  or  any  member 
of  it,  or  any  person  or  persons  in  behalf  of  your 
said  firm,  paid,  or  agreed  to  pay,  or  give  any 
money  or  other  valuable  thing  to  procure  said 
contract,  or  a  change  of  such  contract  by  sub- 


stituting other  than  army  cloth  for  the  12,000 
uniforms   contracted  to  be  furnished  by  said 
firm? 
Answer — No,  not  to  my  knowledge. 

Daniel  H.  Brooks,  of  the  city  of  New  York, 
being  duly  sworn,  testified  as  follows  :      *        * 

Question — Has  your  firm,  or  any  member  of 
it,  or  any  person  or  persons  in  behalf  of  your 
firm,  paid,  or  agreed  to  pay  or  give,  any  money 
or  other  valuable  thing  to  procure  said  contract, 
or  a  change  of  said  contract,  by  substituting 
other  cloth  than  that  referred  to  in  the  proposal 
made  by  said  firm  at  the  time  of  receiving  pro- 
posal for  said  uniform  ? 

Answer — No,  not  to  my  knowledge  or  belief. 

Question — Did  you,  or  any  agent  or  member 
of  the  firm  of  Brooks  Brothers,  solicit  any  per- 
son or  persons  to  aid  you  in  procuring  a  change 
of  such  contract  ? 

Answer — No,  not  to  my  knowledge. 


The  feeling  excited  in  Albany  by  the  attack  npon  Col.  Jackson  in  the  majority 

repoi't,  appears  in  the  comments  thereon  in  the  newspapers  of  that  city. 

Says  the  Atlas  and  Argus  (Democratic) : 

"  We  had  intended  to  have  protested  against  the  insinuations  which  the  investigating  committee 
made  in  their  report  against  the  late  Col.  Jackson.  No  one  in  Albany,  reading  the  evidence  and 
knowing  the  parties,  would  attach  any  importance  to  the  charge.  But  Jackson's  death  is  still  fresh 
in  the  memory  of  his  fellow  citizens,  and  the  labored  and  forced  insinuations  against  him,  are  par- 
ticularly repulsive  to  the  tastes  and  instincts  and  sense  of  justice  of  this  community." 

Says  the  Albany  Evening  Journal  (Republican) : 

"  The  labored  effort  of  the  '  shoddy '  investigators  to  blacken  the  fair  fame  of  the  lamented 
Jackson,  has  excited  a  feeling  of  universal  disgust  and  loathing  in  the  minds  of  all  who  knew  that 
noble-minded,  high-souled  and  generous  gentleman  and  soldier.  This  loathing  is  augmented 
by  the  fact  that  the  committee  accepted  the  nods  and  winks  and  slang  of  a  professional  and  proven 
'black  mail '  witness  as  conclusive  evidence  of  official  malf (usance  ! 

"  The  charge  insinuated,  and  which  was  made  the  basis  of  a  whole  column  of  vile  imputations, 
was,  that  Col.  Jackson,  soon  after  the  Brookses  were  awarded  the  clothing  contract,  was  measured 
for  a  suit  of  military  clothes  by  the  agent  of  that  firm. 

"  The  only  comment  required  to  expose  the  infamy  of  this  libel  upon  the  dead,  is  the  fact  that 
the  bill  for  this  suit  of  clothes  was  sent  on  to  Col.  Jackson  after  he  reached  the  field,  andkwas, 
with  other  effects,  brought  home  with  the  corpse,  and  is  now  in  the  hands  of  the  executors. 

"  The  rebels  dug  up  the  flesh  and  bones  of  the  gallant  loyal  dead  at  Bull  Run.  Who  supposed  the 
same  fiendish  spirit  would  find  development  here  ?" 

The  same  journal  thus  concludes  an  article  on  Judge  Wheeler's  report : 

"  It  is  not  our  purpose  to  allude  to  the  report  in  detail.  We  cannot  avoid,  however,  even  at  the 
risk  of  reviving  a  most  painful  subject,  to  call  attention  to  that  portion  relating  to  the  lamented 
Jackson,  whose  claim  to  the  affectionate  and  tender  remembrance  of  friends,  and  to  the  grateful 
appreciation  of  a  loyal  people,  are  fully  and  acceptably  vindicated.  Henceforth  let  no  malicious 
and  ribald  slanderer  invade  the  sacred  precincts  of  his  tomb,  and,  with  mock  forbearance,  assail 
the  living  reputation  of  the  honored  dead.  Col.  Jackson's  fame  is  safe  in  the  future,  finding,  as 
in  the  past,  an  affectionate  and  secure  resting  place  in  friendship  and  in  public  gratitude." 


SUPPLEMENTARY 


Personally  appeared  before  me,  Mark  "Wolff,  and  being  duly  sworn,  deposed  as 
follows  : 

On  April  20th,  1861,  I  enlisted  in  the  18th  Regiment,  N.  Y.  Volunteers,  Wm. 
A.  Jackson,  Colonel,  in  Company  I,  Capt.  Radcliff.  On  July  7th,  I  became  the 
personal  attendant  of  Col.  Jackson,  and  continued  such  till  his  death  in  November 
of  the  same  year.  During  that  time  I  had  sole  charge  of  his  wardrobe,  and  testify 
that  all  the  articles  of  military  dress  then  in  his  possession  are  comprehended  in 
the  bill  of  Brooks  Brothers,  rendered  to  Prof.  Jackson  "about  the  10th  day  of 
Feb.,  1852,"  with  the  exception  of  one  coat,  worn  by  him  in  his  former  position 
of  Inspector  General  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  altered  by  moving  buttons, 
etc.,  to  adapt  it  to  his  rank  of  Colonel,  apparent  on  inspection,  and  noticed  by  me 
while  cleaning  the  same. 

(Signed)  MARK  WOLFF. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  to  before  me,  this 
fifth  day  of  September,  A.  D.  1862, 

at  Schenectady,  X.  Y. 

George  Gilbert,  Commissioner  of  Deeds. 

City  and  County  of  Albany,  ss  : 

William  II.  Young,  of  said  city  and  county,  being  duly  sworn,  says : 
That  for  a  period  of  about  fifteen  months  he  was  connected  with  the  18th  Reg't 
N".  Y.  Volunteers,  first  as  its  Lieut.-Coloml,  and  after  the  death  of  Col.  Jackson, 
as  its  Colonel.  That  while  so  connected,  he  became  personally  and  intimately 
acquainted  with  Mark  Wolff,  who  was  a  private  in  Company  I,  of  said  Regiment, 
and  afterwards  became  the  personal  attendant  of  Col.  Jackson,  and  stiil  later, 
attended  this  deponent  as  a  nurse  during  a  protracted  period  of  sickness.  Deponent 
further  says,  that  the  said  Wolff  is  now  engaged  in  the  Hospital  Department  of 
the  :3rd  Keg't  N.  Y.  Vol's,  and  is  a  young  man  of  more  than  ordinary  intelligence, 
of  the  strictest  truth  and  integrity,  and  that  any  statement  he  may  make  or  verify 
is  entitled  to  the  fullest  credit. 

(Signed)  WM.  II.  YOUNG. 

Sworn  before  me,  this  12th  day  of) 
December,  1862.  \ 

R.  A.  "Wight,   Com.  of  Deeds. 


MEMOIR 


RICHARD  MARVIN  STRONG, 


MEMBER  OF  THE  ALBANY  BAR, 


gujutani  flf  t(re  177IJ  gipttnt,  £J.  g.  Muntetrs, 


DIED  AT  BONNET  CARRli,  LA., 


MAY  12,  1863. 


PUBLISHED  IN  PURSUANCE  OF  A  RESOLUTION  OF  TIIE  BAR 
OF  THE  CITY  OF  ALBANY. 


ALBANY : 

J.  MUNSELL,  78  STATE  STREET. 

1863. 


MEMOIR. 


It  is  duo  to  community,  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of 
those  who  well  perform  their  part,  as  an  example  to  others 
after  them.  The  life  of  Adjutant  Strong  presents  a  rare 
example  of  excellence  and  usefulness. 

Richard  Marvin  Strong  was  the  second  son  of  Anthony 
M.  and  Sarah  M.  Strong.  He  was  horn  in  the  city 
of  Albany,  June  the  10th,  1835,  and  died  in  the  military 
service  of  the  United  States,  at  Bonnet  Carre,  La.,  May 
the  12th,  1863. 

He  received  the  elements  of  his  education  at  the  Albany 
Academy,  which  he  entered  at  an  early  age,  while  it  was 
yet  under  the  supervision  of  the  late  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck, 
and  remaining  there  during  the  succeeding  administration 
of  Dr.  William  II.  Campbell,  and  tor  a  short  time  under 
Prof.  G.  H.  Cook. 

"When  in  1851,  Dr.  Camphell  resigned  his  charge  in 
Albany,  young  Strong  had  nearly  fitted  for  college,  and 
had  made  most  valuable  progress  in  his  academic  course. 
Few  connected  with  the  Academy  at  that  time  will  fail 


4  MEMOIR. 

— — — — —— ^ ^ ___ ^_^__^___ 

to  remember  the  class  of  young  men,  well  advanced  in 
study  —  the  senior  class  of  the  school  —  which  the  Doctor 
had  gathered  around  him  under  his  especial  care,  and 
particularly  instructed  by  him  in  the  classics  and  belles 
lettres.  Undoubtedly  the  instruction  thus  received  by 
those  young  men,  who  daily  went  before  their  principal 
with  unfeigned  alacrity,  and  with  the  esteem  and  affection 
of  children  towards  a  father,  exerted  an  important  influ- 
ence upon  their  moral,  as  well  as  their  intellectual  charac- 
ters. Certain  it  is  that  there  is  not  an  instance  in  which 
the  subsequent  life  of  any  member  of  the  class  has  put  to 
the  blush  its  moral  training.  Its  majority  are  still  reaping 
the  earthly  benefit  of  its  admirable  discipline,  and  delight 
to  recall  its  pleasant  associations.  As  a  member  of  that 
class,  young  Strong's  standing  was  second  to  none.  The 
impressions  he  then  received,  and  the  habits  then 
formed,  partially  furnish  the  explanation  of  his  remarka- 
bly pure  and  upright  life,  and  of  the  accuracy,  industry 
and  thoroughness  which  distinguished  him  in  all  his 
relations. 

In  1851,  he  received  from  the  Academy  for  his  profi- 
ciency in  mathematics,  the  Caldwell  gold  medal,  and  at 
the  same  time  his  friend  and  companion,  Charles  Boyd, 
received  the  Van  Rensselaer  classical  medal.  These 
rewards  of  scholarship,  were  presented  by  the  principal 
(Dr.  Campbell)  at  the  anniversary  exhibition  with  evident 
pride  and  satisfaction.     "  These  young  gentlemen,"  said 


MEMOIR.  0 

lie  as  they  stood  before  him  on  the  stage,  "  have  never . 
given  me  a  moment's  uneasiness  throughout  all  their 
academic  course."  They  both  entered  the  junior  class,  at 
the  college  of  !N"ew  Jersey  at  Princeton  in  1852,  and  as 
they  had  graduated  from  the  preparatory  school  with  the 
highest  honors,  so  they  took  at  once  the  rank  of  the  first 
scholars  in  their  class.  They  became  members  of  the 
same  literary  society,  were  room-mates  together,  and  in 
1854  graduated  together;  the  one  pronouncing  the  vale- 
dictory, the  other  the  mathematical  oration,  the  first  and 
third  honors  of  a  large  and  intelligent  class.  Charles 
Boyd  had  early  become  a  professor  of  religion,  and  devoted 
himself  to  the  study  of  theology ;  his  assiduity  in  study, 
and  his  constant  attendance  upon  self-imposed  labors  of  a 
charitable  and  educational  nature  exhausted  a  physical 
constitution  not  naturally  strong,  and  he  died  at  the  early 
age  of  twenty-one  years,  not  having  completed  his  course 
at  the  seminary. 

As  a  student  Mr.  Strong  endeared  himself  to  his  class- 
mates by  his  companionable  and  social  qualities,  as  well 
as  won  their  admiration  by  his  ability  as  a  scholar.  Prof. 
Stephen  Alexander  of  Princeton  College  says  of  him  in 
a  recent  letter : 

"He  greatly  distinguished  himself  by  his  attainments 
in  scholarship  while  a  member  of  this  institution.  The 
college  records  exhibit  his  final  standing  (at  his  gradua- 
tion) to  have  been  third  in  his  large  class,  and  within  the 


b  MEMOIR. 

veriest  fraction  of  the  second  position.  Those  who  knew 
his  previous  history  as  an  academy  hoy,  will  not  be  sur- 
prised to  learn  that  the  honorary  oration  assigned  to  him 
was  the  mathematical.  Of  his  unexceptionable  conduct 
and  his  kind  and  genial  manners,  I  have  still  a  lively  re- 
collection." 

During  his  senior  vacation  he  was  invited  by  Prof.  Al- 
exander, who  was  acting  in  connection  with  a  large  com- 
mittee of  the  American  Association  for  the  Advancement 
of  Science,  to  accompany  him  to  Ogdensburgh  as  an  as- 
sistant in  an  observation  of  the  annular  eclipse  of  the  sun 
in  May,  185-1,  and  accompanied  him  together  with  Mr. 
William  J.  Gibson  to  assist  in  those  important  observa- 
tions.    Prof.  Alexander  in  his  report  says : 

"I  was  assisted  in  my  observations  by  two  of  my  former 
pupils  in  the  College  of  New  Jersey,  Messrs.  "William  J. 
Gibson  and  Richard  M.  Strong,  both  of  Albany,  N.  Y. 
Their  presence  with  me,  was  not  only  a  matter  of  sincere 
personal  gratification,  but  was  important  also,  as  we  were 
together  enabled  to  note  some  phenomena  which  might 
otherwise  have  escaped  me,  and  they  by  their  aid  contri- 
buted not  a  little  to  the  accurate  observation  of  those 
which  I  might  have  noted  if  alone." 

A  single  incident  of  the  college  life  of  Adjt.  Strong 
will  serve  to  illustrate  the  force  and  fearlessness  of  his 
character  even  at  that  early  age.  He  had  been  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Kappa  Alpha,  secret  society  in  the  college, 


MEMOIR.                                                    7 
< 

and  besides  having  a  strong  attachment  for  the  society 
itself,  and  for  its  individual  members — an  attachment 
which  lasted  throughout  his  life  —  he  had  been  an  appli- 
cant to  existiug  chapters  in  other  colleges  for  authority  to 
establish  a  branch  at  Princeton,  and  he  felt  in  a  measure 
responsible  for  its  success  and  prosperity.  The  faculty 
had  concluded  to  suppress  the  secret  societies,  and  among 
others,  Richard  Strong  was  summoned  before  the  Presi- 
dent to  sign  a  pledge  not  to  attend  the  meetings  of  any 
such  society,  and  to  dissolve"  his  connection  therewith,  so 
long  as  he  remained  a  member  of  the  institution.  lie  re- 
plied substantially  to  the  demand,  that  his  obligations  to 
his  society  were  contracted  when  there  was  nothing  in  the 
college  rules  preventing  him  from  assuming  them.  That 
tin' standing  and  reputation  of  its  members  were  ample 
proof  of  its  harralcssness.  He  begged  the  President  not 
to  insist  upon  that  which  he  should  be  obliged  to  refuse, 
and  declared  that  greatly  as  he  deprecated  the  conse- 
quences, he  should  prefer  rather  to  suffer  them  than  com- 
mit himself  to  such  a  pledge*  A  further  interview  was 
appointed  with  him  at  an  unspecified  future  time,  and  the 
fact  that  lie  was  not  afterwards  called  upon  to  sever  his 
connection  with  the  society,  or  to  sign  the  pledge  pro- 
posed shows  the  appreciation  in  which  the  worthy  P resi- 
dent of  the  college  held  the  character  of  the  young  man 
who  preferred  rather  to  suffer  detriment  to  himself  than 
prove  false  to  a  trust  confided  to  his  care. 


Though  he  had  few  superiors  as  a  classical  scholar,  Mr. 
Strong  was  naturally  inclined  to  the  study  of  mathemat- 
ics, and  the  natural  sciences,  and  his  early  preferences 
were  towards  those  pursuits  as  a  profession.  At  one  time 
he  had  determined  to  become  a  civil  engineer,  hut  though 
his  constitution  could  not  be  called  feeble,  he  was  led  to 
abandon  this  choice  from  a  belief  that  it  was  not  sufficiently 
robust,  to  endure  the  hardships  and  exposures  sometimes 
attendant  upon  that  mode  of  life.  His  next  choice  was  the 
law,  and  soon  after  leaving  college  he  entered  the  office  of 
Reynolds,  Cochrane  &  Reynolds  in  Albany,  and  became  at 
the  same  time  a  student  of  the  law  department  of  the  Albany 
University.  He  brought  to  the  study  a  mind  naturally 
excellent,  improved  by  careful  training.  He  pursued  his 
studies  with  diligence,  and  the  results  were  satisfactory  to 
himself  and  to  his  instructors,  giving  promise  of  useful- 
ness and  distinction  in  after  life.  His  studies  were  inter- 
rupted for  several  months  which  he  passed  in  visiting 
Europe,  traveling  in  Great  Britain  and  on  the  continent,  and 
resumed  again  on  his  return,  till  in  1856  he  was  admitted 
to  the  Bar.  His  connection  through  relatives  with  im- 
portant mercantile  interests  in  Albany,  threw  him  at  once 
into  practice,  and  his  zeal  and  ability  soon  gained  for  him 
an  extensive  business.  About  a  year  after  his  admission  to 
the  Bar,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Frederick  Townsend, 
now  major  of  the  18th  U.  S.  Infantry,  and  William  A. 
Jackson,  afterwards  colonel  of  the  18th  regiment  N.  Y. 


MEMOIR. 


volunteers,  now  deceased,  and  upon  the  dissolution  of  the 
firm  by  the  withdrawal  of  those  gentlemen  to  positions  in 
the  service  of  the  government,  he  became  associated  with 
Mr.  George  L.  Stedman,  with  whom  he  was  connected  in 
business  at  the  time  of  his  decease.    The  firm  of  Stedman  & 
Strong  having  succeeded  to  the  extensive  business  of  the 
firm  of  Shepard  &  Bancroft — Mr.  Strong  was  enjoying 
the  emoluments  of  a  handsome  practice  when  he  gave 
his  services  to  his  country.     His  ability  as  a  lawyer  was 
marked  and  decided.     He  was  accurate  in  his  conclusions, 
and  rapid  in  reaching  them.     He  analyzed  facts  with  tho- 
roughness, and  arranged  them  with  method.     His  counsel 
in  his  office  was  clear  and  reliable.     It  was  always  the  deli- 
berate conviction  of  his  judgment  after  careful  investiga- 
tions of  the  facts,  and  it  was  often  sought  and  followed  in 
preference  to  that  of  others  of  longer  standing  in  the  pro- 
fession.   He  presented  an  argument  to  the  court  with  terse- 
ness and  with  completeness  and  ingenuity  which  always 
commanded  attention.     With  the  members  of  the  Albany 
Bar  lie  was  a  general  favorite,  ns  lie  was  among  all  who  knew 
him.     Fond  of  social  enjoyments,  cultivated  and  interest- 
ing  in    conversation,    he   was   welcome   everywhere,   and 
often   gave   himself  to   the  social   gatherings   of  the  city. 
As  a    companion  and   friend   he   was   true  and  unselfish. 
lie  was  cordial  with  all,  but  where  his  affections  were  en- 
listed, he  was  warm  and  enthusiastic.     In  countenance  he 
was  genial    and  joyous,  hut  there   was  an   earnestness  in 


10  MEMOIR. 


his  expression  as  in  his  manner  which  was  the  index  of 
his  character. 

Mr.  Strong's  professional  career  was  varied  by  attention 
to  other  interests  of  a  more  public  character.  He  possessed 
an  activity  of  mind,  and  a  readiness  of  perception  and  exe- 
cution which  enabled  him  to  attend  faithfully  and  success- 
fully to  numerous  diverse  matters  without  interfering 
with  his  professional  duties.  His  industry  was  remarka- 
ble. He  wasted  no  time,  and  it  was  surprising  to  see  one 
so  young,  so  zealous  and  so  constantly  employed.  In  the 
truest  sense  of  the  term  he  was  public-spirited,  not  from 
ostentation,  but  from  love  of  well  doing  and  natural  energy 
of  disposition.  He  was  connected  with  many  important 
enterprises  in  his  native  city,  and  the  assurance  that  he 
was  actively  engaged  in  any  project  was  almost  a  guaranty 
of  its  success. 

Not  long  after  the  commencement  of  his  professional 
life,  he  became  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Albany,  Rev.  Dr.  John  N.  Campbell's.  He  was  a  faith- 
ful, earnest  and  exemplary  Christian,  ever  mindful  of  the 
obligations  of  his  religious  profession,  and  living  the  life 
of  one  whose  actions  were  prompted  and  guided  by  the 
purest  faith.  When  the  project  of  erecting  a  new  Pres- 
byterian church  on  State  street,  in  Albany,  was  canvassed 
among  the  members  of  his  denomination,  he  entered 
warmly  into  it  and  becamo  a  leading  spirit  in  its  accom- 
plishment.    In  November,  185$  he  became  one  of  a  com- 


MEMOIR.  11 

1 
mittee  of  fifteen  appointed  from  the  different  Presbyterian 
Churches  of  the  city  to  carry  forward  the  enterprise,  and 
afterwards  secretary  of  the  committee.     Under  his  legal 
counsel  and  conduct  the  church  was  incorporated,  the  land 
was  purchased,  the  edifice  erected  and  the  pulpit  supplied. 
In  each  step  he  not  only  performed  his  part  as  a  lawyer 
but  as  an  enthusiastic  lover  of  the  work,  and  with  a  re- 
fined taste  and  excellent  judgment  gave  valuable  advice 
in  the  manner  and  economy  of  construction,  and  rendered 
efficient  services  in  the  accumulation  and  management  of 
the  funds.     He  was  made  a  trustee  of  the  church  and  re- 
mained so  at  the  time  of  his  death.     He  entered  the  Sun- 
day school,  taking  charge  of  an  important  class  of  advanced 
scholars,  composed  of  two  classes  which  he  had  previously 
instructed,  every  Sunday,  and  which  showed  its  confidence 
in  its  instructor  by  volunteering  unanimously  in  his  regi- 
ment and  going  with  him  to  the  war.     The  committee  to 
whose  management  this  church  enterprise  was  given,  threw 
the  legal  responsibility  of  the  proceedings  entirely  upon 
his  shoulders.     With  characteristic  energy  he  entered  into 
the  law  of  the  subject  and  in  a  few  weeks  had  at  his  com- 
mand not  only  the  statute  law  applicable,  but  its  sources 
and  history.     It  was  afterwards  suggested  to  him  that  a 
volume  on  the  subject  would  have  both  a  historic  and 
practical  interest,  and  he  was  urged  to  undertake  its  com- 
pilation and  is  supposed  to  have  had  it  in  contemplation. 
The  rebellion  of  1861  riiadc  hurried  calls  upon  the  time 


12  MEMOIR. 

and  services  of  the  efficient  young  men  of  the  North.  The 
Albany  Barracks  were  placed  under  the  command  of 
Brigadier  General  John  F.  Rathbone.  Mr.  Strong  was 
then  his  aid-de-camp,  and  took  an  important  part  in  or- 
ganizing the  regiments  formed  there.  These  barracks 
were  the  rendezvous  of  thousands  of  volunteer  recruits, 
who  came  without  discipline,  without  organization  and 
utterly  unaccustomed  to  the  rigor  and  restraints  of  camp 
life.  There  were  frequently  at  one  time  from  four  to  five 
thousand,  and  the  position  of  aid  was  no  sinecure.  Mr. 
Strong  was  not  unequal  to  the  task ;  he  had  had  military 
experience  as  a  member  of  the  Albany  Burgesses  Corps 
and  the  Albany  Zouave  Cadets,  and  in  those  model  or- 
ganizations had  become  proficient  in  the  drill  of  the  com- 
pany ; —  he  soon  acquired  the  experience  of  a  general 
officer.  When  Gen.  Rathbone  was  relieved  of  his  com- 
mand, Mr.  Strong  received  the  appointment  of  Judge 
Advocate  of  the  9th  Brigade  N.  Y.  National  Guards.  His 
duties  at  the  barracks  ceased  with  the  departure  of  the 
troops  for  the  field,  and  the  general  goTemment  having, 
as  it  was  supposed,  sufficient  for  its  purposes,  he  returned 
to  the  practice  of  his  profession  —  impressed,  however,  as 
he  stated,  with  a  sense  of  obligation  to  the  country,  and  a 
determination  to  give  his  services,  should  the  occasion 
seem  to  make  a  demand  upon  them.  On  the  organization 
of  the  177th  Regiment  N.  Y.  Volunteers,  formerly  the 
10th  Regiment  National  Guards  of  the  State,  he  accepted 


MEMOIR.  13 


the  laborious  position  of  Adjutant,  and  turned  his  atten- 
tion, with  his  accustomed  energy,  to  placing  it  on  a  war 
footing.  On  the  eve  of  departure,  he  addressed  the  regi- 
ment, publicly  congratulating  the  officers  and  men  upon 
their  unwearied  and  at  length  successful  efforts  to  organize 
for  the  war.  They  left  Albany  in  December,  1862,  with 
the  "  Banks  expedition,"  landed  at  New  Orleans,  and  were 
thence  sent  to  Bonnet  Carre,  La.,  an  important  post  on 
the  Mississippi  River,  being  one  of  the  main'  defences  of 
New  Orleans.  Large  numbers  of  the  unacclimated  men 
of  the  177th  were  soon  prostrated  with  diseases  peculiar 
to  the  country  and  to  camp  life  ;  and  Adjutant  Strong, 
besides  the  acknowledged  friend  of  the  individual  mem- 
bers, became  an  unwearied  attendant  upon  the  wants  of 
the  sick.  His  assistance  was  freely  bestowed  on  all  sides, 
regardless  of  danger  from  infection  and  the  strain  upon 
his  strength.  With  a  rare  skill  and  a  joyous  and  genial 
manner  peculiar  to  him,  he  watched  with  and  assisted  in 
the  care  of  the  sick,  and  administered  the  consolations  of 
that  religion  he  had  himself  experienced  to  the  dying. 
His  labors  in  this  respect,  while  attending  punctiliously  to 
the  duties  of  his  position,  rendered  him  liable  through 
loss  of  strength  to  take  the  fever  to  which  he  has  fallen  a 
victim.  In  a  letter  from  Bonnet  Carre,  written  on  the  day 
after  his  death,  full  of  tenderness  and  affection,  addressed 
to  flu-  Gather  of  Adjutant  Strong,  Dr."  O.  II.  Young,  as- 
sistant surgeon  of  the  regiment,  says  :     "  The  tenderness 


14  MEMOIR. 


of  his  heart  and  his  unresting  desire  for  usefulness 
prompted  him  to  visit  the  hospital  often,  in  the  hope  of 
adding  to  the  welfare  of  the  sick  soldier,  and  many  will 
remember  the  kind  solicitude  which  made  him  their  con- 
stant visitor,  and  the  cheerful  words  which  infused  new 
hope  into  their  drooping  spirits.  Indeed,  the  frequency 
with  which  Richard  made  these  visits  has  more  than  once 
attracted  our  attention,  and  creating  some  solicitude  for 
his  health  has  made  it  incumbent  on  us  as  medical  officers 
to  advise  him  not  to  spend  too  much  time  among  the 
dead  and  dying.        *  *  *  *         *         *  * 

On  Sunday,  April  26,  he  and  I  sat  together  on  a  bench  in 
front  of  my  tent,  listening  to  divine  service.  *  * 

*  *  *  Directly  after  these  exercises  he  com- 
plained of  headache,  and  asked  me  for  professional  advice, 
which  was  given,  on  condition  that  he  immediately  aban- 
doned all  official  duties,  which  rendered  exposure  to  the 
sun's  heat  necessary." 

This  headache  spoken  of  by  Dr.  Young  was  the  ap- 
proach of  the  fever,  which  soon  assumed  a  typhoid  form, 
and  terminated  his  life.  In  speaking  of  his  last  sickness, 
Dr.  Young  informed  his  parents  that  it  was  not  attended 
with  physical  pain.  During  his  last  moments  his  physical 
prostration  was  too  great  to  permit  his  articulating,  but 
his  response  to  the  question  whether  he  desired  to  be  re- 
membered to  his  father  and  family  at  home,  was  audible 
and  intelligent.     He  answered,  said  Dr.  Young,  distinctly 


MEMOIR.  15 


"  Yes,"  and  a  few  moments  after  with  his  brother's  name 
upon  his  lips  expired.  His  remains  were  encased  in  a 
metallic  coffin,  and  deposited  in  Greenwood  Cemetery  at 
New  Orleans,  to  await  their  conveyance  to  Albany. 

Thus  has  another  valuable  life  surrendered  itself  a  vol- 
untary offering  to  the  institutions  of  our  country,  freely 
given  in  the  morning  of  usefulness,  with  bright  promises 
for  the  future  unfulfilled.  The  misgivings  as  to  his  physi- 
cal endurance,  which  in  earlier  years  had  swerved  him  from 
the  pursuits  of  the  studies  which  he  loved,  had  no  power 
to  influence  his  action  when  he  felt  his  services  were  valu- 
able to  the  country,  but  he  freely  gave  himself  to  the  risks 
of  the  field  of  battle,  and  the  exposures  of  camp  life,  and 
in  doing  so,  none  who  knew  him  will  say,  he  was  other- 
wise actuated,  than  by  a  sense  of  duty,  and  a  desire  to  be 
of  service  to  his  country,  in  whose  institutions  he  had  an 
unshaken  faith.  To  that  faith  he  has  borne  testimony  with 
the  seal  of  his  life  — a  life  full  of  the  brightest  promise  — 
endeared  to  him  by  the  tenderest  family  affections ;  through- 
out all  which,  with  all  the  opportunities  and  successes 
which  attended  him,  there  is  not  one  moment  over  which 
his  friends  would  desire  to  draw  a  veil.  The  memory  of 
his  chaste  and  noble  nature,  like  the  lingering  rays  of  the 
setting  sun,  remains  to  soften  the  gloom  his  death  has 
caused,  and  is  the  assurance  of  a  triumphant  future. 
Sweetly  he  sleeps  the  sleep  of  death  among  those, 
"  Qui  fuerunt,  sed  nunc  ad  astra." 


kmt&top  fit  tit  gttbang  §w. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Albany  Bar,  convened  in  the 
Mayor's  Court  Room,  in  the  City  Hall  of  Albany,  to  take 
action  regarding  the  death  of  Adjutant  Richard  M.  Strong, 
on  motion  of  Mr.  C.  M.  Jenkins,  Mr.  J.  I.  Werner  was 
called  to  the  chair.  On  motion  of  Mr.  J.  B.  Sturtevant, 
Mr.  William  Lansing  was  appointed  secretary. 

On  motion,  the  chair  appointed  the  following  commit- 
tee on  resolutions :  Messrs.  William  A.  Young,  John  C. 
McClure,  Hamilton  Harris,  J.  Howard  King,  and  George 
Wolford. 

Hon.  John  H.  Reynolds  then  addressed  the  meeting  as 
follows : 

One  by  one,  and  in  rapid  succession,  those  who  for  a 
time  travel  with  us  on  the  highway  of  life,  drop  down  and 
are  seen  no  more.  At  short  intervals  of  time,  some,  that 
we  have  known  and  who  have  in  some  sort  been  our  asso- 
ciates disappear,  and  we  know  them  no  longer.  At  a 
little  greater  interval,  those  with  whom  we  have  been 
more  intimate,  fall  by  the  way  side,  and  then  we  pause  a 


PROCEEDINGS   OF    THE    ALBANY   BAR.  17 

moment  and  perhaps  shed  a  few  tears,  and  pass  on,  intent 
only  upon  reaching  the  end  of  our  own  travels  and  a  season 
of  repose  which  never  comes.     We  find  but  little  time  to 
linger  beside  those  who  falter,  and  less,   to  stand  around 
the  graves  of  the  fallen.     As  we  move  onward,  at  intervals 
which  seem  to  grow  less  and  less  in  duration,  we  are 
compelled  to  pause,  from  time  to  time,  for  the  reason  that 
our  most  intimate  associates  can  no  longer  keep  us  com- 
pany, but  leave  us  to  continue  our  progress  as  best  we 
may.     It  is  then  that  we  tarry  a  little  longer,  and  feel  it  a 
duty  to  give  some  expression  to  our  regret  and  regard. 
We  have  met  to  day,  to  peform  this  duty,  in  respect  to  one 
of  our  professional  brethren  who,  under  circumstances  of 
painful  interest^  has,  in  the  very  morning  of  life,  left  us 
forever.     It  is  not  long  since,  that  under  like  circum- 
stances, we  were  assembled  to  pay  the  last  tribute  of  re- 
spect to  the  memory  of  another  of  our  brethren,  who  in 
obedience  to  the  call  of  his  country,  left  home  and  friends, 
and  wore  out  his  life,   in  defence  of  the  flag,  which  an 
army  of  traitors  seek  to  trample  in  the  dust.     And  now, 
after  a  little  while,  we  meet  again,  to  pay  a  like  tribute  of 
regard  to  one  of  gentle  nature  and  of  high  promise,  who 
more  recently  gave  up  the  pursuits  of  an  honorable  pro- 
fession, and  severed  the  tenderest  ties  that  bind  our  com- 
mon humanity,   to  brave  all  the  privations  and  dangers 
that  attend  the  patriotic  citizen  and  soldier,  who  takes  up 
arms  in  defence  of  the  insulted  flag  of  his  country.     It  is 


3 


18  PROCEEDINGS   OF    THE    ALBANY   BAR. 

fitting  that  this  mournful  event  should  not  pass  unnoticed 
by  those  who  were  bound  to  him  in  the  ties  of  professional 
brotherhood,  who  knew  him  intimately,  and  loved  him 
well  in  life,  and  whose  early  death  falls  with  crushing 
weight  upon  so  many  hearts. 

At  the  early  age  of  twenty-eight,  Richard  M.  Strong 
died,  far  away  from  home  and  kindred.  We  knew  but 
little  of  his  days  of  sickness  and  suffering,  or  of  the 
last  hours  of  his  life,  save  that  an  unrelenting  disease,  in 
an  ungenial  clime,  wasted  him  away ;  and  in  his  last  mo- 
ments, his  thoughts  were  turned  to  loved  ones  at  home, 
and  his  lips  faintly  murmured  a  brother's  name ;  and  with 
this  last  effort  of  affection,  his  spirit  passed  to  "  God  who 
gave  it." 

The  story  of  his  life  is  brief  and  simple.  It  is  not 
marked  by  uncommon  incidents,  which  will  attract  the 
attention  of  the  great  world.  He  did  not  live  long  enough 
to  achieve  the  high  honors  of  the  profession  to  which  his 
life  was  to  have  been  devoted,  and  which  his  talents,  his 
industry,  his  manly  and  modest  deportment,  his  spotless 
character,  his  love  of  truth  and  justice,  entitled  those  who 
knew  him  best  to  predict  for  his  career.  So  much  of 
professional  life  as  he  was  permitted  to  pursue,  gave 
assurance  that  all  which  would  have  followed,  could  not 
have 

"  Unbesecmed  the  promise  of  his  spring." 

He  began  the  study  of  the  law  in  an  office  with  which 


PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   ALBANY   BAR.  19 

t 

I  was  connected ;  and  I  shall  always  remember  him  with 
affection  as  a  devoted,  industrious,  intelligent  and  faithful 
student;  full  of  hope,  and  earnest  in  the  pursuit  of  all 
that  learn i  og  which  marks  the  progress  of  a  true  lawyer, 
and  gives  dignity  to  a  noble  profession.  He  brought  to 
that  pursuit  a  mind  capable  of  reaching  a  high  rank 
among  men,  who  never  fail  to  appreciate  learning,  to 
reverence  intellect,  and  to  love  and  cherish  all  the  higher 
qualities  which  adorn  human  nature.  His  early  training, 
where  his  superiority  had  always  been  acknowledged, 
fitted  him  to  commence  his  professional  career  under  cir- 
cumstances more  favorable  to  success  than  is  common  to 
most  who  enter  upon  a  pursuit  where  real  merit  is  seldom 
unrewarded,  and  where  few  ever  attain  a  permanent  posi- 
tion without  severe  labor  and  solid  acquirement.  His 
practice  at  the  bar,  although  not  of  long  duration  or 
extensive  in  its  character,  illustrated  the  qualities  of  mind 
and  heart  which  commanded  the  respect  and  regard  of  all 
his  brethren,  and  which,  step  by  step,  would  have  led  him 
to  high  honors. 

In  early  life  he  was  frail  and  delicate,  and  he  was  nur- 
tured with  tenderest  affection.  At  school  he  was  patient, 
and  diligent;  and  not  only  won  the  regard  of  his  associ- 
ates, but  attained  a  position  of  acknowledged  merit;  and 
when  his  schoolboy  and  college  days  were  over,  he  left 
behind  him  the  marks  of  a  superior  mind,  and  the  remem- 


20  PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE    ALBANY   BAR. 

brance  of  an  exemplary  character.  To  this,  all  his  early 
friends  bear  willing  testimony.  He  sought  our  profession 
as  best  adapted  to  his  tastes  and  talents,  and  entered  upon 
it  with  all  the  enthusiasm  of  youth,  and  with  all  the  hope 
and  confidence  which  youth  and  conscious  talents  inspires. 
Surrounded  by  every  comfort  which  wealth  and  aifection 
can  give,  stimulated  by  every  motive  of  honorable  ambi- 
tion, he  saw  the  future  bright  before  him,  and,  with  just 
reliance  upon  himself,  looked  forward  to  a  useful  and  an 
honorable  career  in  the  profession  of  his  choice.  But  an 
imperiled  country  called  him  to  other  duties.  He  was 
among  the  first,  when  the  sound  of  conflict  reached  us,  to 
lay  down  the  profession  of  the  law,  and  assume  the  pro- 
fession of  arms ;  and  he  has  followed  it  with  fidelity  to 
the  same  end  to  which  we  are  all  hastening.  With  the 
brave  men  who  have  gone  to  the  field  of  strife  he  sought 
danger  as  a  duty ;  and,  if  opportunity  had  presented,  he 
would  have  proved  himself  as  brave  in  battle  as  he  was 
patient  and  submissive  when  disease  wasted  his  life  away. 
He  was  a  Christian  gentleman  and  a  Christian  soldier. 
He  followed,  with  unfaltering  trust,  the  path  of  duty  to 
his  God,  to  his  country,  to  his  kindred  and  his  friends. 
He  leaves  no  enemy  behind  him.  All  who  knew  him 
loved  him  ;  for  his  nature  was  gentle  and  genial.  He  was 
firm  in  honest  purposes,  quick  to  discern  and  defend  the 
right,    and   incapable   of  wrong.     When  such   men   die, 


PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   ALBANY   BAR.  21 

early  or  late  in  life,  there  is  a  melancholy  pleasure  in 
bearing  testimony  to  what  they  were  ;  and  to  do  so  is  a 
sacred  duty  to  the  living  and  the  dead. 

The  circumstances  under  which  our  deceased  brother 
closed  his  brief  but  honorable  career,  are  peculiarly  painful 
and  impressive,  although  death  now  meets  us  in  so  many 
startling  forms  that  we  scarcely  notice  it  until  it  comes 
very  near.  The  stories  of  blood  and  battle,  of  suffering 
and  death,  are  daily  brought  to  our  view,  and  yet  scarcely 
arrest  our  attention.  We  look  with  interest  to  scenes  of 
conflict  and  carnage,  where  brave  men  struggle  and  die 
amid  the  roar  of  cannon  and  the  shouts  of  victory,  but 
scarcely  remember  the  unhappy  patriots  who,  in  a  distant 
clime,  struggle  with  relentless  disease,  and  who,  upon 
beds  of  suffering,  turn  once  more  to  their  early  homes 
and  kindred  in  all  the  agony  of  loneliness  and  desolation. 
They  are  far  beyond  all  those  consolations  which  attend 
the  dying  when  surrounded  by  the  endearments  of  home. 
Death  is  always  a  merciless  visitor;  but  to  one  suffering 
amid  strangers,  in  a  strange  land,  becomes  robed  in  his 
most  ghastly  form  —  terrible  to  the  victim,  and  agonizing 
to  those  who  arc  nearest  and  dearest  to  him.  We  can  not 
turn  aside  the  veil  that  hides  the  grief  of  the  afflicted 
household  in  which  our  lamented  brother  grew  up  to 
manhood.  The  father's,  the  mother's,  the  brother's  and 
the  sister's  agony  is  all  their  own.  We  may  sympathize, 
but  can  not  alleviate.     We  may  speak  a  word  of  kind- 


22  PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   ALBANY   BAR. 

ness,  and  drop  a  tear  of  sympathy,  but  we  only  add  our 
sorrow  to  theirs.  God  grant  that  this  household,  and  the 
many  others  that  have,  in  these  unhappy  days,  suffered 
a  like  bereavement,  may  find  consolation  from  the  only 
source  that  can  give  lasting  comfort  to  the  afflicted. 

And  let  us  who  here  grieve  over  the  early  dead,  be  ever 
mindful  of  the  admonitions  which  these  mournful  occa- 
sions give  us.  Death  meets  us  in  all  forms,  in  all  condi- 
tions of  age  and  station,  and  on  all  occasions. 

"  Leaves  have  their  time  to  fall, 
And  flowers  to  wither  in  the  north  wind's  breath, 
And  stars  to  set;  but  all — 
Thou  hast  all  seasons  for  thine  own,  oh  Death  !  " 

Hon.  Lyman  Trdmain  spoke  as  follows : 

I  am  well  awarg,  Mr.  Chairman,  how  feeble  and  inade- 
quate our  language  is  to  give  expression  to  the  emotions 
of  warm  sympathy,  and  profound  grief,  which  pervade  the 
hearts  of  all  those  who  had  the  honor  to  be  ranked  among 
the  friends  of  Richard  M.  Strong.  Knowing  him  well,  as 
I  did  in  life,  I  should  have  been  lamentably  deficient  in 
sagacity  and  discrimination,  if  I  had  failed  to  discover, 
and  to  appreciate,  his  intrinsic  merits  and  exalted  worth. 
And  now  that  he  is  dead  ;  now  that  he  has  fallen  in  the 
service  of  his  country,  I  should  prove  false  to  the  prompt- 
ings of  my  heart,  if  I  remained  silent  on  this  mournful 
occasion. 

It  is  natural  and  proper  at  such  a  time,  to  speak  in 


PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE    ALBANY   BAR.  23 

. 

terms  of  praise  of  the  departed.  Sometimes,  we  know, 
the  language  employed  is  exaggerated  or  undeserved. 
On  the  present  occasion,  however,  I  speak  the  sentiments 
of  all  who  knew  our  lamented  professional  brother,  when 
I  say,  that  no  eulogium  upon  his  probity,  his  truthfulness, 
his  generosity,  and  in  short,  upon  all  those  noble  and 
manly  traits  of  character  that  endear  a  man  to  his  family 
and  his  friends,  can  be  pronounced,  which  shall  seem  ful- 
some or  overdrawn. 

Mr.  Strong  belonged  in  the  company  of  my  junior  pro- 
fessional brethren.  Although  I  never  had  the  pleasure  of 
what  may  be  called  an  intimate  personal  acquaintance 
with  him,  yet  I  knew  him  very  well,  and  upon  my  first 
acquaintance  with  him,  his  bearing  and  deportment  at- 
tracted my  attention.  While  it  was  no  part  of  his  ambi- 
tion to  win  applause  by  the  brilliancy  of  his  efforts,  yet  he 
always  appeared  to  good  advantage.  He  was  entitled  to, 
and  he  received,  the  universal  respect  of  the  Court  and  of 
his  brethren  at  the  Bar.  Amiable  in  the  highest  degree,  I 
do  not  believe  that  he  had  an  enemy  on  earth.  If  we  had 
been  required  to  select  by  ballot,  that  young  lawyer  in  the 
city  of  Albany,  who  combined  more  than  any  other,  the  vir- 
tues that  make  up  the  character  of  the  cultivated  Christian 
gentleman,  I  think  I  hazard  little  in  saying  that  the  choice 
would  have  fallen,  with  great  unanimity,  upon  Richard 
M.  Strong. 

Our  deceased  brother  was  full  of  good  humor  and  kind 


24  PROCEEDINGS   OF    THE    ALBANY   BAR. 

feeling.  He  had  a  keen  relish  for  the  society  of  his 
friends,  and  for  the  social  attractions  by  which  he  was  sur- 
rounded. But  with  all  this,  he  retained  the  artless  sim- 
plicity of  a  child.  His  was  one  of  those  rare  characters 
which,  instead  of  losing  the  freshness  of  youth,  or  becom- 
ing contaminated  as  years  roll  on,  would  continue,  if 
possible,  to  grow  brighter,  purer  and  nobler,  with  the 
progress  of  time. 

The  closing  chapters  in  his  young  life  were  entirely 
consonant  with  his  previous  history,  and  precisely  what 
we  had  a  right  to  expect.  What  a  glorious  exhibition  of 
exalted  and  self-denying  patriotism  is  furnished  by  his 
conduct ! 

How  bright  is  his  example  !  Look  at  his  career  for  a 
moment. 

He  had  graduated  at  Princeton  College  with  as  complete 
an  education  as  his  country  could  furnish.  He  had  gone 
through  with  his  preparatory  studies,  and  been  admitted 
to  the  Bar.  He  had  commenced  the  practice  of  the  law 
under  most  auspicious  circumstances.  He  was  surrounded 
by  troops  of  warm  and  devoted  friends.  He  was  the  idol 
of  a  wealthy  and  generous  father,  who  was  ready  and 
willing  to  afford  him  all  the  aid  which  can  be  derived 
from  influence  and  wealth. 

But  he  felt  constrained  by  a  stern  sense  of  duty  to 
abandon  all  these  precious  privileges,  and  to  respond  to 
lie'  call  of  his  country.     He  could  not  remain  at  home, 


PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE    ALBANY   BAR.  25 

while  his  country  was  appealing  to  her  sons  to  come  to 
the  rescue.  He  saw  his  beloved  country  struggling  with 
a  band  of  robbers  for  its  life,  and  like  a  true  and  faithful 
son,  he  said  I  am  in  duty  bound  to  assist  in  this  contest. 

With  a  constitution  that  had  never  been  hardened  by 
exposure  and  toil,  he  did  not  shrink  from  encountering 
the  perils  of  a  southern  climate  and  the  dangers  of  the 
field.  Volunteering  with  the  10th  regiment,  he  became  its 
adjutant,  accompanied  it  to  Louisiana,  and  fell,  a  victim 
to  southern  fever,  and  the  exposures  of  camp  life. 

Jackson  and  Strong  were  but  yesterday  a  promising  firm 
of  young  lawyers  in  our  city.  Both  were  talented,  culti- 
vated and  promising  young  men.  Both  have  offered  up 
their  lives  upon  the  altar  of  their  country. 

The  death  of  Richard  M.  Strong  is  a  severe  loss.  It  is 
a  great  loss  to  his  family,  a  loss  to  his  friends,  a  loss  to  the 
public,  and  a  special  loss  to  our  profession.  We  can  illy 
afford  to  lose  so  bright  an  ornament  from  our  number. 
His  place  can  not  be  supplied. 

But  we  can,  and  we  will,  honor  and  cherish  his  memory 
in  our  inmost  heart.  His  name  will  occupy  one  of  the 
brightest  pages  in  the  history  of  these  noble  martyrs  who 
have  fallen  in  the  war.  We  will  remember  him  as  one 
who  was  willing  to  devote  his  time,  his  talents,  his  pro- 
fessional prospects,  and  his  life  to  the  service  of  his  coun- 
try. 

Let  it  be  ours   to  vindicate    his  name  and  fame,  respect 


26  PROCEEDINGS   OF    THE   ALBANY   BAR. 

and  honor  his  memory,  imitate  his  virtue,  and  if  need  he 
follow  his  example. 

Mr.  Kufus  ~W.  Peckham,  Jr.,  said  : 

Mr.  Chairman: 

A  nohle  heart  has  ceased  to  heat.  Called  by  a  summons 
which  we  shall  all  obey,  Richard  M.  Strong  has  departed 
from  the  company  of  living  men.  I  desire  upon  this  sad 
occasion  to  pay  the  heartfelt  tribute  of  a  friend  to  the 
memory  of  him  whose  early  death  we  this  day  mourn. 
Growing  up  with  the  deceased  in- terms  of  intimate  friend- 
ship, I  take  a  melancholy  pleasure  in  bearing  testimony  to 
his  many  virtues.  I  knew  him  well,  and  his  warm  heart, 
his  generous  disposition,  his  noble  character  won  from  me, 
as  from  all  who  knew  him,  unqualified  admiration  and 
respect.  Upright  in  all  his  acts,  straightforward  and 
manly  in  his  bearing,  his  word  when  given,  might  be  im- 
plicitly relied  upon.  Genial  and  affable  in  social  inter- 
course, he  was  the  life  of  that  home  which  is  now  made 
desolate  by  his  death. 

He  graduated  at  Princeton  College,  where  he  left  a 
name  beloved  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  After 
leaving  college,  he  traveled  for  some  time  in  Europe,  enlarg- 
ing and  enriching  his  mind  from  the  varied  stores  which  the 
cities  of  the  old  world  throw  open  to  the  intelligent  tra- 
veler. Returning  to  this  city,  he,  in  1854,  commenced  the 
study  of  the  law  in  the  office  of  Mr.  Reynolds,  and  upon 


PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   ALBANY   BAR.  27 

i 

his  admission  to  the  bar,  entered  upon  the  active  practice 
of  his  profession. 

During  the  comparatively  short  period  of  his  business 
life  among  us,  how  much  did  he  accomplish !  By  the 
purity  of  his  life,  his  strict  unbending  integrity  and  the 
modest  and  uniform  courtesy  of  his  manners,  he  merited 
and  received  from  the  community  where  he  resided,  its 
unmingled  respect  and  its  unlimited  confidence,  and  we 
who  knew  him  well,  recognized  in  him  God's  noblest 
work,  an  honest  man. 

Possessing  a  mind  far  above  the  average,  aided  by  untir- 
ing energy  and  unremitting  industry,  there  seemed  nothing 
to  obstruct  him  in  the  attainment  of  a  high  and  honorable 
position  in  the  ranks  of  his  chosen  profession.  It  seemed 
but  natural  to  suppose  that  a  bright  and  glorious  noon 
would  follow  so  promising  a  morning.  But  that  noon  was 
never  reached.  The  angel  of  death  called  him,  he  obeyed 
the  call,  and  he  now  "  rests  from  his  labors."  In  his  death, 
the  younger  members  of  this  bar  have  lost  a  cherished 
companion  and  a  true  friend,  and  his  memory  will  be  en- 
deared to  them  by  the  recollection  of  pleasant  hours  passed 
in  his  company.  Under  these  circumstances  it  seems  ap- 
propriate to  meet  here  and  testify,  by  this  last  act  of  re- 
spect, how  much  we  mourn  his  early  decease.  When  the 
rebellion  broke  out  he  was  engaged  in  practice  with  the 
late  Col.  William  A.  Jackson,  and  the  firm  of  Jackson  & 


28  PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   ALBANY   BAR. 

Strong  has  been  dissolved  by  the  death  of  both  its  mem- 
bers in  the  cause  of  our  country. 

When  the  government  first  called  for  troops,  Gen. 
Kathbone  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  Albany  de- 
pot, and  Strong,  being  a  member  of  his  staff,  was  called 
upon  to  devote  his  whole  time  and  energies  to  the  work  of 
organizing  the  special  department  given  him  in  charge, 
and  he  soon  succeeded  in  establishing  order  and  regularity 
therein.  During  this  period,  in  his  intercourse  with  the 
numerous  officers  congregated  here,  he  displayed  the  same 
courtesy  of  demeanor,  the  same  aptitude  for  business 
which  always  characterized  him,  and  many  officers  Avill 
hear  with  pain  and  regret  of  the  decease  of  one  whom  in 
their  short  intercourse  with  him,  they  had  learned  to  ad- 
mire and  respect. 

When  the  Albany  depot  had  sent  forward  to  the  field 
all  the  troops  then  asked  for,  Strong  returned  to  his  pro- 
fession, ready  at  a  moment's  notice  to  obey  any  call  his 
country  might  make.  When  the  10th  regiment  was  ac- 
cepted, believing  his  duty  called  him  to  the  field,  he  sought 
for  and  obtained  the  post  of  Adjutant,  and  the  officers  of 
the  regiment  will  fully  bear  me  out  when  I  say,  that  he 
devoted  his  whole  energies  to  its  proper  and  speedy  equip- 
ment for  active  service.  Untiring  in  his  efforts  to  promote 
its  strength  and  efficiency,  ever  mindful  of  the  welfare  and 
comfort   of  his  men,  never   shirking  a   duty,  quick   and 


PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   ALBANY    BAR.  29 

i 

ready  to  comprehend  military  matters,  cool,  collected  and 
brave,  be  became  the  general  favorite,  and  showed  him- 
self an  accomplished  and  gallant  officer. 

With  a  growing  practice,  surrounded  by  a  large  circle 
of  relations  and  warm  personal  friends,  in  the  possession 
of  almost  every  thing  that  renders  life  attractive  and  beau- 
tiful, he  has  sacrificed  all  for  his  country. 

No  man  ever  went  forth  with  purer  motives,  with  less  of 
ambitious  dreams  animating  his  soul,  than  he  who  now 
lies  dead,  covered  with  the  earth  of  a  distant  land.  It  was 
the  genuine  love  of  country  which  sent  him  to  the  contest. 
No  boyish  ebullition  of  enthusiasm  governed  him,  no 
thirst  for  military  glory  prompted  him,  fancy  held  up  to 
his  imagination,  no  gorgeous  and  glorious  scenes  to  con- 
ceal the  stern  realities,  which  with  the  calm  judgment  of 
a  man  he  decided  to  brave.  No  !  He  went  forth  strong  in 
the  belief  of  the  justice  of  the  cause,  firm  in  his  determi- 
nation to  do  all  that  should  become  a  man,  and  with  a 
single  reliance  and  pure  faith  in  an  overruling  Providence 
he  calmly  committed  his  life  to  its  keeping. 

Thus  he  went  forth.  We  all  remember  how  a,  few 
months  ago,  our  streets  echoed  to  the  tread  of  armed 
men,  and  there  he  was  among  them.  Death  has  been 
busy  with  them  since.  Although  not  as  yet  engaged  in 
battle,  the  ranks  of  the  10th  are  thinned,  and  many  of  its 
members  now  sleep  the  sleep  that  knows  no  waking. 

He  of  whom  we  speak,  has  testified  his  love  for  his 


30  PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   ALBANY   BAR. 


country,  his  respect  and  reverence  for  her  institutions,  by 
offering  up  his  own  young  life,  a  willing  sacrifice  for  their 
preservation.     "  Greater  love  hath  no  man  than  this." 

He  has  added  another  name  bright  and  stainless,  to  the 
long  roll  of  patriot  heroes  and  martyrs  whose  life  blood 
has  flowed  for  the  cause  of  American  unity,  and  his  me- 
mory will  live  in  the  grateful  hearts  of  affectionate  friends. 

He  died  not,  as  a  soldier  would  prefer  to  die,  on  the 
field  of  battle,  amid  the  smoke  and  flashes  of  artillery,  the 
shouts  of  contending  armies  and  the  roar  of  musketry, 
listening  as  death  steals  over  him  for  the  glorious  shouts 
of  victory.  No  !  it  was  in  the  camp,  stretched  upon  a  bed 
of  sickness,  with  burning  fever  upon  him,  far  away  from 
the  land  of  his  birth,  from  all  the  comforts  and  affection 
of  a  home  which  he  ornamented  and  brightened,  sur- 
rounded by  the  stern  realities  of  war,  that  his  manly  spirit 
passed  away,  and  he  fell  asleep  under  the  protecting  shadow 
of  that  flag  which  he  loved  so  well.  Calmly  and  peace- 
fully, amid  such  scenes  he  died, 

"  Like  one  who  wraps  the 
Drapery  of  his  couch  around  him, 
And  lies  down  to  pleasant  dreams." 

Early  in  life  he  received  the  sweet  consolations  of  a 
strong  religious  faith.  Religion  covered  him  as  with  a 
mantle;  it  pervaded  the  entire  man,  ennobling  and  ele- 
vating his  every  action.  Pure  was  he  in  his  life  ;  trustful, 
with  an  abiding  faith,  at  his  death ;  and,  living  and  dying, 


PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   ALBANY   BAR.  31 

1 

he  exemplified  and  embodied  all  our  conceptions  of  a 
Christian  gentleman. 

We  admired  his  mental  qualities,  we  loved  his  generous 
and  warm  heart ;  and  we  now  do  reverence  to  the  spotless 
purity  of  his  private  character. 

In  the  death  of  such  a  man,  we  do  not  feel  as  if  we 
had  altogether  lost  him.  His  example  will  live,  shining 
brightly,  as  time  in  his  onward  march  carries  us  far  from 
the  scenes  of  to-day ;  and  now,  while  listening  sadly  to 
the  decree  —  "Dust  to  dust,  ashes  to  ashes,  earth  to  earth," 
in  the  firm  belief  that  his  sleep  will  be  calm,  and  his 
awakening  glorious,  we  bow  in  humble  submission  before 
the  throne  of  Him  who  doeth  all  things  well. 

Mr.  Young,  from  the  committee  on  resolutions,  reported 
the  following : 

Another  member  of  the  Albany  County  Bar  has  died  in 
the  military  service  of  the  country.  Richard  Marvin 
Strong,  a  gentleman  of  much  professional  ability,  of  ami- 
able manners  and  strict  integrity,  beloved  by  his  compan- 
ions in  arms  and  by  all  who  were  associated  with  him  in 
the  pursuits  of  civil  life,  in  the  flower  of  his  age,  has  gone 
from  among  us  forever.  His  worth  as  a  citizen  and  a  law- 
yer, his  valor  and  patriotism,  have  consecrated  his  name 
and  his  memory  in  the  hearts  of  his  brothers  of  the  Bar. 
In  view  of  this  mournful  dispensation, 

Resolved,  That  while  contemplating  with  admiration 


32  PROCEEDINGS   OF    THE   ALBANY    BAR. 

and  pride  the  example  furnished  by  the  deceased,  of  con- 
scientious devotion  to  the  Union  and  the  supremacy  of  the 
laws,  we  deeply  lament  the  too  early  death  of  one  whose 
cultivated  mind  and  pure  character  gave  promise  of  so 
much  usefulness  and  distinction.  His  intercourse  with 
his  brethren  of  the  Bar  was  marked,  at  all  times,  by  kind- 
ness and  courtesy.  Among  his  fellow-citizens,  his  daily 
life  was  eminent  for  that  uprightness  and  manly  bearing 
which  are  the  outward  manifestations  of  a  heart  imbued 
with  the  principles  of  justice  and  right.  His  literary  at- 
tainments and  scholarlike  tastes  were  the  graceful  and  fit- 
ting ornament  of  his  virtues.  Knowing  the  magnitude  of 
the  sacrifices  at  which  he  entered  upon  the  career  of  arms, 
we  venerate  the  heroism  and  constancy  of  one  who  was 
capable,  when  his  country  demanded  his  services,  of  ex- 
changing the  delights  of  a  home,  where  he  had  ever  been 
an  object  of  the  tenderest  affection,  the  charms  of  study 
and  the  rewards  of  professional  industry,  for  the  hardships, 
the  perils  and  the  sufferings  of  the  camp  and  the  field. 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  to  the  parents  and  friends  of 
the  deceased  our  heartfelt  sympathies  in  the  affliction 
which  this  melancholy  event  has  brought  upon  them  ;  and 
that  we  invoke  in  their  behalf  the  consolations  which  ena- 
bled our  departed  brother  to  meet  death  with  Christian 
fortitude  and  resignation. 

Resolved,  That  these  resolutions  be  published  in  the 
newspapers  of  the  city,  and  that  a  copy,  signed  by  the 


officers  of  this  meeting,  be  presented  to  the  family  of  the 
deceased. 

Hon.  Deodatus  "Wright  said  : 

Mr.  Chairman  : 

Before  the  vote  is  taken  on  the  resolutions  which  have 
just  been  read,  I  desire  to  express  my  hearty  concurrence 
in  all  that  has  been  said  by  the  speakers  who  have  pre- 
ceded me,  and  to  whom  we  have  listened  with  the  deepest 
interest,  while  they  have  uttered  their  feeling  and  eloquent 
tributes  of  esteem  and  respect  for  him  whose  early  loss  we 
have  met  to  deplore,  and  whose  manly  and  heroic  qualities 
we  have  assembled  to  commemorate.     The  deceased  was 
one  of  the  younger  members  of  the  junior  class  of  our  Bar. 
It  was  therefore  eminently  fit  and  proper,  that  the  younger 
and  middle-aged  members  of  our  profession,  should  first 
give  expression  to  the  emotions  and  sentiments  which 
the  occasion  could  not  fail  to  inspire.     But  Richard  M. 
Strong  possessed  qualities  of  too  marked  and  manly  a  char- 
acter, not  to  arrest  the  attention  and  secure  the  respect  of 
all  his  professional  brethren,  without  regard  to  class  or  age. 
In  the  language  of  one  of  the  gentlemen  who  has  spoken, 
I  too  can  say,  that  I  was  not  intimately  acquainted  with 
the  deceased,    and  yet  I  knew  him  sufficiently  well  to 
affirm,  that  I  entertained  for  him  a  regard  as  high,  and  an 
esteem   as  sincere,   as  I  entertained  for  any  professional 
brother  between  whom  and  myself  there  existed  so  great 


34  PROCEEDINGS   OF    THE   ALBANY   BAR. 

a  disparity  in  years.  And  I  can  truly  say,  that  no  death 
which  has  occurred  in  the  ranks  of  those  who  have  gone 
forth  from  our  own  Bar,  to  serve  their  country  in  this  try- 
ing hour,  has  produced  in  my  mind,  emotions  of  deeper 
sadness,  or  more  profound  regret.  It  is  therefore  very  gra- 
tifying to  me  to  see  so  large  a  number  of  his  professional 
brethren  assembled  here  to-day,  to  honor  his  memory. 

But  a  few  short  months  have  elapsed  since  he  was 
engaged  in  a  professional  career,  surrounded  by  circum- 
stances as  nattering,  and  prospects  as  bright,  as  those 
which  attended  any  young  lawyer  in  this  city.  While 
thus  engaged,  he  saw  his  country  suddenly  plunged  from 
a  state  of  peace  and  prosperity,  into  one  of  the  most 
formidable  and  deadly  civil  conflicts  the  world  has  ever 
witnessed.  He  saw  that  our  free,  glorious  institutions, 
hitherto  the  pride  and  boast  of  our  own  land,  and  the 
hope  of  the  lovers  of  freedom  throughout  the  world,  were 
involved  in  the  great  issue.  lie  fully  appreciated  the 
magnitude  of  the  contest,  and  knew  that  strong  arms,  and 
loyal  hearts,  could  alone  avert  the  fearful  calamities  which 
threatened  his  country.  With  these  he  was  liberally 
endowed,  and  these  he  dedicated  to  his  country's  service. 

A  career  so  bright,  so  full  of  promise  in  its  commence- 
ment, so  unselfish  and  patriotic  in  its  progress,  lias  been 
suddenly  terminated  by  death.  Although  cut  down  in 
the  very  morning  and  flower  of  lite,  just  as  lie  had  entered 
into  early  manhood,  we  can  not  mourn  for  him  as  lor  one 


PROCEEDINGS  OF   THE   ALBANY   BAR.  35 

t 

who  has  lived  in  vain.  No  man  has  lived  a  short  life, 
who  has  faithfully  and  heroically  performed  all  the  duties 
which  devolved  on  him  while  he  lived.  Measuring  the 
years  of  our  deceased  brother  by  this  standard,  it  will  be 
found  that  his  span  of  life  exceeds  that  of  many  who  have 
lived  longer,  and  exhibited  fewer  evidences  of  exalted 
manhood.  This  war  has  made  sad  ravages  among  our 
professional  brethren.  This  is  the  third  time  that  we 
have  been  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of  a  member  of 
our  own  Bar.  Jackson,  Hill,  and  Strong,  all  young 
men,  all  in  the  flush  of  early  manhood,  all  occupying  high 
social  positions,  and  all  enjoying  a  full  measure  of  public 
esteem,  have  offered  up  their  lives  upon  their  country's 
altar,  for  their  country's  salvation.  Many,  very  many 
others  in  this  city,  from  all  occupations  and  all  pursuits, 
have  done  likewise. 

Albany  may  well  feel  proud  of  the  patriotic  and  heroic 
band  of  martyrs  who  have  yielded  up  their  lives  for  their 
country.  I  doubt  whether  any  other  city  in  the  loyal 
states,  in  proportion  to  its  population,  can  present  a  longer 
or  brighter  catalogue  of  brave  and  heroic  spirits  who  have 
perished  in  this  conflict.  This  war  has  not  only  brought 
death  into  many  a  family  in  this  city;  every  city,  every 
village,  town  and  hamlet  throughout  our  land,  has  been 
sadly  afflicted.  Indeed  but  few  dwellings  have  escaped 
the  desolation  and  woe  which  the  deaths,  caused  by  this 
unnatural  war,  have  brought  to  almost  every  household. 


36  PROCEEDINGS  OF   THE  ALBANY   BAR. 

In  view  of  these  sad  bereavements,  these  sore  afflictions, 
the  reflection  has  forced  itself  upon  my  mind  since  I  en- 
tered this  hall,  how  important,  how  imperative  it  is,  for 
every  man  under  the  solemn  responsibilities  which  he 
owes  to  his  God,  and  to  his  fellow  man,  to  be  definitely, 
and  clearly  persuaded  in  his  own  mind,  whether  the  con- 
flict in  which  we  are  engaged  is,  or  is  not,  on  our  part, 
holy  and  just.  If  it  be  not  just,  then  we  are  bound  by 
the  most  weighty  and  sacred  obligations  that  can  address 
themselves  to  a  Christian  and  moral  people,  to  use  all 
legitimate  means  within  our  power  to  arrest  its  further 
progress,  to  put  an  end  to  this  deadly,  desolating  strife. 
If,  on  the  other  hand,  we  agree  with  those  who  believe 
our  quarrel  just,  and  who,  like  him  whom  we  have  met 
to  day  to  honor,  have  given  their  lives  in  testimony  of  the 
deep  sincerity  of  their  convictions,  we  are  under  obliga- 
tions equally  weighty,  and  equally  solemn,  to  do  all  within 
our  power  to  bring  this  unnatural  contest  to  a  speedy  and 
triumphant  close. 

Gen.  John  Meredith  Read  Jr.  said : 

I  should  do  great  injustice  to  my  feelings  if  I  suffered 
this  occasion  to  pass  without  paying  my  tribute  to  the  me- 
mory of  a  man  for  whom  I  entertained  the  highest  respect. 

My  acquaintance  with  Lieut.  Strong  was  slight.  But 
no  one  could  meet  him,  even  casually,  without  being  im- 
pressed by  his  activity  of  mind,  his  integrity  of  purpose. 


PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   ALBANY   BAR.  37 

i 

It  was  my  good  fortune,  in  an  official  capacity,  to  witness 
the  zealous  alacrity  with  which,  at  the  commencement  of 
the  war,  he  entered  upon  his  duties  as  a  member  of  Gen. 
Rathbone's  staff  —  and  I  hazard  nothing  in  saying  that  his 
energy,  his  perseverance,  his  executive  ability,  were  felt 
and  acknowledged  by  all  with  whom  he  had  official  re- 
lations. 

The  reputation  which  he  then  acquired  for  thorough 
soldierly  accomplishments,  has  never  forsaken  him. 

It  seems  but  a  few  short  months  since  we  were  assem- 
bled here  to  pay  our  last  offices  of  affection  and  respect,  as 
a  profession,  to  the  friend  and  partner  of  our  lamented 
brother.  Little  did  we  think,  when  we  uttered  words  of 
sorrow  for  the  departure  of  William  A  Jackson,  that  we 
should  so  soon  be  called  to  mourn  the  decease  of  Richard 
M.  Strong.  Little  did  we  imagine  that  he,  who  was  then 
in  the  full  vigor  of  manhood,  would  be  summoned  at  so 
early  a  day,  to  lay  down  his  life  as  a  sacrifice  on  the  altar 
of  his  country. 

Relinquishing  the  luxuries  of  home,  the  endearments  of 
friends,  our  late  associate  went  forth,  in  the  flush  of  youth, 
with  lofty  purpose  and  Christian  fortitude,  to  do  battle  in 
defence  of  our  common  country. 

Like  his  comrade,  he  has  fallen  by  the  dread  hand  of 
disease,  but  with  his  face  to  the  foe  —  and  another  martyr 
is  added  to  the  holy  cause  of  liberty. 


38  PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE    ALBANY   BAR. 

Mr.  Orlando  Meads  said : 

31r.  Chairman  : 

If  I  may  be  allowed  the  privilege,  I  would  add  a  few 
words  to  those  which  have  already  been  so  well  and  fit- 
tingly spoken  in  regard  to  our  deceased  young  friend.  It 
so  happened,  that  I  saw  a  good  deal  of  him  at  an  early 
period  of  his  life.  During  his  school  days  at  the  Albany 
Academy,  and  subsequently  during  a  part  of  his  collegiate 
course  at  Princeton  College,  he  was  an  intimate  friend  and 
companion  of  my  own,  now  deceased,  son ;  and  in  this 
way,  and  also  in  the  course  of  my  duties  as  a  trustee  of 
the  Academy,  I  saw  much  of  him,  and  came  to  know  him 
well.  No  boy  had  in  a  higher  degree  the  confidence  and 
respect  both  of  his  teachers  and  his  companions.  He  was 
intelligent,  exact  and  conscientious  in  the  performance  of 
every  duty,  and  most  amiable,  unselfish  and  faithful  in 
his  intercourse  with  his  friends.  In  a  class  of  boys,  than 
which  a  better  never  passed  through  the  Albany  Academy 
—  and  that  I  know  is  saying  much — he  was  one  of  the 
best  scholars.  He  was  an  accurate  and  thorough  classical 
scholar ;  but  he  especially  distinguished  himself  in  mathe- 
matics, for  his  proficiency  in  which  he  received  the 
Caldwell  medal,  given  always  to  the  best  mathematical 
scholar. 

As  he  was  at  school,  so  was  he  also  at  college,  where 
he  maintained  the  same  high  character  he  had  held  at  the 
Academy.     The  same  fine  qualities  marked  him  still,  as 


PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   ALBANY   BAR.  39 

I 


indeed  they  continued  to  mark  him  through  life ;  the 
same  good  sense,  the  same  high  principle,  the  same  regu- 
larity and  exactness  in  his  habits,  the  same  kind-hearted- 
ness, steadfastness  and  truth. 

On  leaving  college,  he  entered  upon  the  study  of  the 
law.  He  brought  to  it  a  sound,  well  balanced  and  well 
disciplined  mind,  liberal  attainments,  good  habits,  and 
high  moral  qualities.  With  these,  he  could  not  well  fail 
to  succeed ;  and  we  can  all  bear  witness,  that  no  young 
man  among  us  had  in  a  higher  degree  the  esteem  and 
confidence  both  of  his  professional  brethren  and  of  the 
community  in  which  he  lived. 

But  the  same  conscientious  sense  of  duty  which  had 
marked  him  from  his  boyhood,  led  him  to  yield  himself 
to  the  call  of  his  country  in  this  its  time  of  need  and 
peril.  The  fact  that  his  friend  and  late  partner,  Col.  ¥m. 
A.  Jackson,  had  recently  fallen  a  victim  to  his  labors  and 
exposures  in  the  camp  and  in  the  field,  so  far  from  deter- 
ring him  from  giving  himself  to  the  same  cause,  seemed  to 
him  but  an  additional  reason  why  he  should  do  so.  With 
everything  to  make  home  attractive,  he  did  not  hesitate 
to  give  himself  to  duties  which  he  regarded  as  paramount 
and  imperative.  How  well  and  faithfully  he  fulfilled  his 
arduous  duties  as  the  adjutant  of  his  regiment,  both  here 
and  at  its  southern  post  of  duty,  we  all  know.  In  this 
honorable  and  devoted  course  of  service,  far  from  his  home 
and  friends,  he,  too,  has  yielded  up  his  life.     But  it  is  for 


40  PROCEEDINGS   OF    THE   ALBANY   BAR. 

ourselves  and  not  for  him  that  we  should  mourn.  His 
life,  from  the  outset,  has  been  an  unbroken  round  of 
duties  well  performed.  It  may  seem  short,  but  not  incom- 
plete ;  for,  in  the  words  of  the  Book  of  "Wisdom,  "  He 
being  made  perfect  in  a  short  time,  fulfilled  a  long  time." 
"  For  honorable  age  —  says  the  same  book  —  is  not  that 
which  standeth  in  length  of  time,  nor  that  is  measured  by 
the  number  of  years ;  but  wisdom  is  the  gray  hair  unto 
men,  and  an  unspotted  life  is  old  age !  " 

The  resolutions  were  thereupon  adopted. 

On  motion,  the  following  committee  was  appointed  by 
the  Chair  to  prepare  and  publish  a  memorial  of  the  de- 
ceased :  Abraham  Lansing,  G.  L.  Stedman,  E.  J.  Miller, 
J.  C.  Cook,  J.  J.  Olcott,  A.  V.  DeWitt,  S.  Wood,  R.  W. 
Peckham,  Jr.,  and  S.  Hand. 

Adjourned. 


At  a  special  meeting  of  the  trustees  of  the  State  Street 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Albany,  held  June  3d,  1863,  the 
following  memorial  was  ordered  to  be  entered  upon  the 
minutes: 

"  Died — May  12, 1863,  at  Camp  Bonnet  Carre,  near  New 
Orleans,  of  typhoid  fever;  Richard  M.  Strong,  Adjutant  of 
the  177th  Regiment  N.  Y.  S.  Volunteers,  in  the  28th  year 
of  his  age." 

The  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  State  Street  Presbyterian 
Church,  assembled  in  view  of  this  sad  event,  desire  to 
place  upon  record  their  heartfelt  sorrow  at  the  death  of 
their  associate. 

1.  Called  away  in  the  bloom  of  his  manhood  —  with  rare 
powers  of  mind  and  heart  devoted  to  the  service  of  his 
God  and  his  country  —  with  prospects  of  immediate  and 
future  honorable  usefulness  clustering  about  him  —  with 
the  hopes  of  soldiers  in  the  camp  and  friends  at  home 
centering  in  him  —  with  the  love  of  kindred  and  friends 


42  PROCEEDINGS   OF   PUBLIC   BODIES. 

clinging  to  him  ;  —  we  can  not  refrain,  because  of  the  loss 
to  ourselves  and  others,  from  mourning  for  him. 

2.  Remembering  all  that  he  was,  and  all  that  he  had 
already  done  in  his  short  life,  that  he  was  an  accomplished 
scholar,  a  sound  and  successful  lawyer,  an  ornament  of 
social  life,  an  efficient  and  idolized  officer  of  his  regiment, 
a  conscientious,  noble  and  active  Christian  gentleman ; 
and  especially  remembering,  as  it  becomes  us  to  do,  his 
prudent  and  efficient  agency  in  the  organization  and  man- 
agement of  this  Church,  —  we  shall  cherish  his  memory 
with  gratitude,  pride  and  tender  affection. 

3.  Remembering  how  in  this  war  for  our  country's  in- 
tegrity, he  was  willing  to  sacrifice  his  interests  at  home — 
and  with  no  blind  and  thoughtless  rashness,  but  with  calm 
and  deliberate  foresight,  to  put  his  life  in  peril — how 
earnestly  he  labored,  in  the  face  of  every  discouragement, 
for  the  organization  and  outfit  of  his  regiment,  how  pa- 
tiently and  efficiently  he  has  since  devoted  himself  to  its 
care  and  management,  and  how  he  has  been  rewarded 
with  the  affectionate  admiration  and  gratitude  of  his  sol- 
diers, —  we  hesitate  not  to  name  him  among  the  honored 
and  lamented  dead  of  this  [rebellion. 

4.  To  his  afflicted  father  and  mother  and  other  relatives 
we  tender  our  deepest  sympathy.  God  have  mercy  upon 
them,  and  comfort  them  in  this  bereavement.  To  them, 
as  to  us,  it  will  be  sweet  —  it  will  be  a  consolation  to  re- 
call his  noble  and  upright  character,  his  countless  deeds 


PROCEEDINGS   OF    PUBLIC   BODIES.  43 

I 

of  kindness,  his  patriotic  sacrifice,  his  unspotted  reputa- 
tion as  a  citizen  and  a  soldier,  and  his  Christian  life  and 

death. 

ROBERT  L.  JOHNSON,  President. 

JonN  C.  McClure,  Secretary. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Alpha  Sigma  Society  held 
June  3d,  1863,  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions 
were  adopted: 

Whereas,  God  in  his  infinite  wisdom  has  taken  from 
this  world,  our  brother  Richard  M.  Strong,  President  of 
this  Society,  and  has  pronounced  his  work  finished,  when 
to  us  it  seemed  that  his  career  of  usefulness  had  but  just 
commenced ;  and 

"Whereas,  This  society  has  lost  one  of  its  most  active 
members,  and  each  of  us,  as  members,  a  most  cherished 
and  loving  friend  ;  therefore 

Resolved,  That  while  we  deeply  feel  this  heavy  afflic- 
tion, we  the  companions  of  his  boyhood  are  rejoiced  to 
bear  witness  to  his  consistent  life,  his  high  moral  purpose, 
his  virtue,  honor  and  integrity ;  to  his  untiring  industry, 
his  great  natural  and  acquired  attainments;  to  his  un- 
wearied perseverance  which  overcame  all  obstacles,  and  to 
that  nobleness  of  character  and  geniality  of  disposition 
which  caused  his  friends  to  love  him  and  all  to  respect 
him. 

Resolved,  That  while  we  deplore  his  early  death,  we 
are  thankful  for  the  example  of  his  life ;  a  life  filled  with 


44  PROCEEDINGS   OF    PUBLIC    BODIES. 

the  grandest  purposes  and  animated  with  the  highest  mo- 
tives ;  a  life  true  to  himself,  his  country  and  his  God  ;  the 
noble  record  of  which,  even  as  we  but  partially  know  it, 
shows  that  he  has  not  lived  in  vain. 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  to  his  family  our  most  heart- 
felt sympathies,  praying  that  God,  in  his  mercy,  may 
show  them  the  silver  lining  to  the  dark  cloud  which  now 
overshadows  them,  and  transfer  their  thoughts  from  their 
loss  to  his  everlasting  gain. 

ERNEST  J.  MILLER,  Vice-President. 

R.  V.  De  "Witt,  Recording  Secretary. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Albany  Zouave  Cadets,  held  June 
5th,  1863,  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions  were 
adopted : 

"Whereas,  "We  have  heard,  with  the  deepest  sorrow,  of  the 
death  of  Adjt.  R.  M.  Strong,  of  the  177th  Regiment,  N. 
Y.  S.  Y.,  a  member  of  our  company,  and  one  of  our  most 
estimable  citizens ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  while  we  bow  submissively  to  the  ordi- 
nation of  Providence,  by  which  one  of  our  most  active  and 
efficient  members  has  been  taken  from  us,  we  desire  to 
bear  testimony  to  the  zeal  and  fidelity  with  which  he  ever 
discharged  his  duties  as  a  member  of  this  company. 

Resolved,  That,  although  we  mourn  his  death  with  un- 
affected sorrow,  and  while  we  feel  that  the  loss  of  one  so 
intimately  identified  with  us  in  the  organization  of  this 


PROCEEDINGS   OF   PUBLIC   BODIES.  45 

4 

Company  is  irreparable,  still  we  rejoice  to  know  that  he 
fell  at  the  post  of  duty  in  the  cause  of  our  beloved  and 
suffering  country ;  and  that  having  thus  freety  yielded  up 
his  life  in  the  bloom  and  strength  of  manhood  in  a  cause 
so  holy,  we  shall  ever  cherish  his  memory  with  just  pride 
and  gratification. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  sacrifices  he  made  in  his  relin- 
quishment of  business,  and  the  comforts  of  a  home  in 
which  he  was  beloved,  and  of  society  in  which  he  was 
honored,  in  his  willingness  to  accept  the  perils  and  hard- 
ships incident  to  the  life  of  a  soldier,  he  has  bequeathed  to 
us  a  bright  example  of  lofty  patriotism  and  unselfish  devo- 
tion to  duty. 

Resolved,  That  to  his  afflicted  parents,  to  his  anxious 
friends,  and  to  the  177th  Regiment,  in  which  he  was  uni- 
versally beloved,  we  extend  our  warmest  sympathy ;  and 
that  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  sent  to  his  parents,  to 
his  regiment,  and  also  that  they  be  published  in  the  papers 

of  this  city. 

A.  C.  JUDSON,  Chairman. 

D.  S.  Benton,  Secretary. 


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